AQA GCSE Drama sample

Below is an extract from a sample response for a question based on Mr Lyons in Act 1, in his scene with Mrs Lyons, beginning ‘Oh Richard, Richard’, describing how a costume designer would use their skills to create effects that support the action of this extract and the rest of the play. In this scene, I would have Mr Lyons dressed as if he’s just come in from work to find his wife once again distressed. 1 He has an important job in manufacturing, so I would dress him in a conservative grey, pin-striped wool suit, with a matching waistcoat and a white shirt and a conservative navy-blue tie. 2 There is nothing particularly fashionable about his clothing, he would blend in with the crowd, but small details, like wearing gold cuf�links and a good watch, would show his relative wealth. 3 I imagine he has just come in from work, so I would have him enter car�ying a newspaper and a brown leather briefcase. He wears dark-rim�ed spectacles to read, but these will be in his pocket at the begin�ing of the scene. 4 His shoes are dark, leather and well-shined. Everything about him suggests competence and order, which reinforces why he is so an�oyed to find his wife coping so poorly. 5 He would like to be met with a drink, but instead im�ediately has to begin solving problems. In my interpretation, Mr Lyons is a little older than his wife, so I would use make-up to indicate that his hair is greying at his temples. 6 His appearance in this scene would stress how important his work is to him and how he is not totally comfortable at home. 7 In the rest of the play, he would wear variations of this outfit for most scenes. When playing with Edward he would take of� his jacket. With Miss Jones, he would be at his most formal, wearing his glasses and very neatly presented to show his power and his apparent lack of concern for his employees. 8 One moment of contrast in his outfit might occur towards the end of Act 2, when the family has moved to the country. In order to show how they have changed from city dwellers to country people, I would costume him in a green waxed jacket with a warm plaid flan�el lining and black wellington boots. 9 However, for most of the play, he presents authority and his costume must indicate that. Understanding of action of scene Discusses colour and fabric and effect achieved Shows how accessories can create effect Accessory reveals aspect of character Condition of footwear and effects achieved Some mention of hair/make- up, although this could be more developed Insight into action of scene How costume helps to convey action in the rest of the play How costume would be altered for his role in the rest of the play 66 COMPONENT 1 UNDERSTANDING DRAMA