RB Short Questions Flashcards
List 4 or 5 performance skills
Vocal = pitch/tempo/pause/accent/volume/clarity
Physical =
gesture/stillness/fluency/expression/posture/facial expression/movement/proxemics
Rehearsal techniques (2 X)
Stanislavski - Magic If - “If I were…” placing yourself into shoes of character - eg. Mother’s death
Actioning - Allocating an action/intention to a line - reading through the lines (Ruth and Alem)
Alem =
Alem
He is a refugee from Eritrea/Ethiopia.
Friends with Mustapha and Ruth - with flirtatious undertones.
Colourful t-shirt.
Main Character (Reacts to situation around him)
Mustapha =
Mustapha
Alem’s friend from the Children’s home. Has a crush on Ruth. Sides with Sweeney.
Branded t-shirt (more streetwise)
Friend/Sidekick type role. Acts as comedy relief to more political/intense scenes.
Ruth =
Ruth
Was in love with Themba. Daughter of Fitzgeralds. Friends with Mustapha and Alem (flirting?)
Cropped top - rebellious nature.
Friend/(Love interest?). Supports Alem, despite initial hostility.
Sweeney =
Sweeney
Bully at the Children’s home.
Gold chain. Black hoodie.
Antagonistic role - creates bad situations + unpredictable
Mr and Mrs F =
Fitzgeralds
Alem’s foster parents - middle class? (unclear). Ruth’s parents.
Mrs: Apron, Mr: Shirt/Tie
Parent role - dilemma between them and Mr Kelo.
Mr Kelo =
Mr Kelo
Alem’s father.
Shirt and Trousers
Fatherly role - dilemma between him and Fitzgeralds.
Structure and Style of play:
Non-linear
Episodic structure (stand alone scenes)
+ Elements of Epic Theatre (Political message etc. )
Close together on stage =
If characters are near = emotional closeness
(Note: can also be invasive/threatening)
Far apart on stage =
If characters are apart = emotional distance
Stages =
Proscenium Arch: - Face audience on one side, no fourth wall, Arch
Thrust space: Area going from the stage into the audience (on three sides)
In the round: Where the audience is on all four sides
Traverse: Audience on two sides, stage in middle
Hostel set and props =
Dingy bed + lamp + door
Bus stop set and props =
Grimy lamppost + weathered bench
Fitzgerald’s kitchen set and props =
Pine worktop + stools + bowl of fruit
Fitzgerald’s dining room set and props =
Large pine table + blue & white chequered tablecloth
Scene 1
Eritrea/Ethiopia
Alem and Father talk about stars.
Serene, Whimsical
“It is the North Star”
Scene 2
Hotel
Alem is alone in a hotel. Mr Hardwick (staff) tries to calm him.
Confused, tense, dramatic
“Where is Mr Kelo?”
“No no no”
Scene 3
Children’s home
Alem meets Mustapha and Sweeney
Unfamiliar,
“Six chips.” “Be careful in here, alright”
Scene 4
Bus stop
Alem and Mustapha bond -> Sweeney’s “Refugee Boy” rant
Dramatic, tense, threatening
“You talkin’ bad about my family?”
“I am a Refugee Boy.”
Scene 5
Ethiopia
Alem’s family are threatened by a soldier -> Monologue
Dangerous, tense
(Monologue = distressed, dramatic)
“Leave Ethiopia or die!”
“I only wanted to be found”
Scene 6
Fitzgerald’s dining room
Mr F loses keys, Alem finds them. Talk about school & court.
Domestic, Slightly awkward
“Alem, you star”
“So what did I do at school today?”
“Can’t I even say anything?”
Scene 7
(Reflects the first scene)
Eritrea/Ethiopia
Alem and Father talk about stars.
Serene, Whimsical + Sense of Longing?
“It is the North Star”
“Who loves you”
Scene 8
Fitzgerald’s Kitchen
Talking about going to court. Ruth starts teasing Alem and they both hear each other crying
Domestic -> Serious, tense
“But I don’t want to stay”
“I hear you every night. Crying.”
Scene 9
Court Scene
Unfamiliar, confusing, stressful, overwhelming
“and and and and…”
“I would like to wish you all a Merry, Merry Christmas”
Scene 10
At the bus stop
Talking about the time when Mustapha betrayed Alem and sided with Sweeney and promised not to switch sides again
Tentative friendship, Recovering, Wholesome
“what I want to say is… I’m sorry man.”
“Yo mamma”
“Never!”
