Drama Assesment 1 PDF

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Summary

Drama A1...

Description

Component 2: Drama Responding to “Oliver (1968) – Consider Yourself”

Role, Character and relationships

The musical drama piece “Consider yourself” is set during the Victorian era in an old school London borough, where many of the extra roles are portrayed as middle-class residents and town people such as common folk, butchers, newspaper delivery boys, police officers and children. All these characters, sets and props come together to set the scene of a real-life stereotypical community going through the daily grind in a jovial and upbeat manner.

There are two main characters in the scene. The first is Oliver Twist, the easily manipulable young orphan looking for a home, family and purpose. The second is Jack Dawkins (Artful Dodger), an adolescent pick pocketer whose cheeky, independent, conniving and streetsmart predisposition gives him purpose and allow him to subsist a life on the streets. Although the movie follows the life of Oliver, deeming him the movies protagonist, the dynamics of the relationship between both Jack and Oliver in this scene suggest that Jack is the Protagonist. This allows both actors to unlock the full potential of their characters. Oliver, as the impressionable boy that has hope in finding a ‘purpose’ and Jack as the skilful and frugal young man that can take him under his wing. Dinham (2017, p.180) noted that the audience is intended to identify with the protagonist and be fully invested in their outcomes. In addition, it helps when actors actively animate the story line making both the set and characters look authentic and believable entities (Dinham, 2017, p.180).

Voice and Movement

At the beginning of the scene Jack introduces himself to Oliver using his nickname “Artful Dodger” which imparts a sense of trust and friendship between the two. In addition to this the boys shake hands and when Oliver asks if “the old gentlemen won’t mind?” Jack’s one-word response is delivered with inflection, in a timely tone of voice that expressively shapes the situation and atmosphere concurrently with the expressive action of the moving body (Dinham, 2017, p.180). It’s important to note that the song and dance components of this scene are a major part of the voice and movement elements of drama as they set the social standing and mood. This distinguishes the characters personalities from one another as the juxtaposition between Jack and Oliver is always Jack taking the lead. Jack takes on a brotherly figure using the senses sight and touch. He places his hand on Oliver’s shoulder, back and cheek, holds his hand while leading him through the marketplace all while singing and dancing to the infectiously catchy song. The lyrics of the song have meaning and hold a controlled rhythm of delivery whereby even the audience feels welcomed, apportioned and considered ‘one of us.’ (Tuner classic movies, 1968). Incorporating non-verbal communication skills of movement, facial expressions and gestures allowed Oliver to imitate his new friend and even join in on the singing and dancing. Dinham (2017, p.180) confirms that these nonverbal actions can establish the pace relationship and atmosphere between two characters.

Space and Time

The physical space of the performance isn’t limited to one area, as the boys sing and dance, they journey through the London marketplace. After the initial greeting, the emotional and physical space between the boys changes completely. The reasoning behind this is because the boys are trying to portray a new kindred friendship. By immersing themselves within the marketplace Jack starts off the interactions with the extras by dancing on a street artists work. As the scene continues his actions start to become cheekier as he pulls on a lady’s apron and steals fruit from the ladies’ baskets. This communicates a message to both the audience and Oliver that Jack isn’t scared of much, therefore giving Oliver the confidence to start trusting and imitating Jack. The language and the sets used are all integral to the narrative of the piece as it uncovers and explores the scenes historical time and place and the relationship between the two boys (Dinham, 2017, p.181). Some of the shopfront signs above give away the place (London) and from the way everyone including the boys are dressed gives away each individual class present within the scene.

Reference List

Dinham, J. (2017). Delivering authentic arts education (3rd ed.). Melbourne: Cengage.

Tuner classic movies. (Carol Reed, John Woolf). (1968). Oliver (1968) -- (Movie Clip) Consider Yourself. [Video File]. Retrieved from: http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/297868/Oliver-Movie-Clip-ConsiderYourself.html...