The island Flashcards
1
Q
Fugard’s methods in the township plays
A
- not pure realism
- dramatic economy (minimal use of everything)
- retains unity of time, place and action
- actor-centred approach
- set elements and props are used powerfully
- Epic theatre techniques
- character addresses audience
2
Q
Style
A
- workshopping
- realism
- protest
- epic
- poor
- personal story
- not overtly politcal (far too subtle)
- human statement (shows experience)
3
Q
Fugard and Grotowski’s poor theatre
A
- admired the space and silence in his work
- Fugard was working on ‘pure theatre experience’
- actor and stage, actor on stage
- space filled with meaning and words and sounds
- his words being the silence itself
- tried to simplify his work
- 2/3 characters and space and time are restricted
- no elaborate set, limited costume, shorter plays
- actor/spectator relationship being unique and special
- ‘Holy actor’ (unique truth, allowed to live on stage)
4
Q
Poor theatre and the island
A
- sparseness (prison life)
- any venue and space
- actor is the heart and soul
- costumes were everyday, nothing special, no entertainment
- costumes gave no identity and individuality, other than the actors individuality
- simple multi-purpose props
- simple stark white light, no emotion, indicate time and place change
- simple staging
- very physicalised, vocalised, very in control, mime, physical discipline
- voice made music and sound effects
5
Q
Fugard and Brecht’s Epic Theatre
A
- distance and alienate the audience
- artificially created
- engage critical faculties, to learn
- narration
- interspersed songs
- actors go by their names (representing both themselves and the greater oppressed)
- play within a play (distances further)
- end, winston addresses as himself
6
Q
Fugard and existentialism
A
- Camus and Beckett
- lucid consciousness (expressed properly than avoiding)
- Robben Island as a fight for consciousness
- mime, to triumph of physical exhaustion
- Courageous pessimism ( to show courage at how futile life really is)
- Few characters
- spare set
- terms of existence
- casual explanations, existence is inexplicable and irremediable (impossible to cure)
- problem of identity, man’s metaphysical anguish
- human condition
7
Q
Protest Theatre
A
- tackled previously taboo ideas
- voice to the voiceless
- international awareness
- plays organised assaults on legal statutes
- Immorality Act, Group areas act, pass system, bantu education act
8
Q
Island as example of protest theatre
A
- protests the system of Apartheid, justice system and south african pass laws
- protests the conspiracy of silence
- political because they represent political acts
- words can make a difference
9
Q
Hodoshe
A
- sadistic warder
- carrion fly which eats rotten flesh
- actual name of a warden
10
Q
Comedic elements
A
- classical double act
- John comic, Winston as straight
- before bed, entertainment
- humour is never far from the surface
- costume of antigone is comedic
- shift from comedic to serious at the end
- Hodoshe will not be given contentment
- man’s dignity transcends clothes and appearances
- laugh at themselves (laugh keeps one away from the brink of insanity)
- piss in his pants, serious yet humorous
11
Q
Staging
A
- actor-centred
- stage-set
- few props
- costumes (play within a play)
- lighting effect (time, place, mood)
- sound effects (siren, whistles, grunts, buzzing flies)
- very performer demanding play
- energetic, physical, vocalised
12
Q
Parallels between the island and antigone
A
- transgression by state law
- fundamental humanism
- oppression versus power
- unwarranted and disproportionate sentences
- antigone is an image of rebellion to unjust laws (articulates the suffering)
- inhumane, immoral, arbitrary
- unrepentant
- relation in politics
13
Q
Idea of survival
A
- entertainment (keep each other’s spirits up by different forms of entertainment)
- brotherhood and caring (support each other and look after each other - tending of wounds)
- resistance (determined their spirit and vitality will not be diminished)
- obedience (obey ruled and do their work)
14
Q
Intention of the island as an instrument of education
A
- didactic
- educated people about the Apartheid laws
- challenges society through reality
- forces confrontation of terrible occurrences
- entertaining and enlightening
- slice of township life
- tragic and comedic
15
Q
Universality / locality of the island
A
- local to South Africa
- powerful and moving
- excellent by international standards
- dozen of other countries
- unjust imprisonment for beliefs
- racism, man’s inhumanity to man
- God’s laws vs. Man’s laws
