GCSE Drama – Live Theatre Evaluation

THEATRE IN PRACTICE The acclaimed actor Lucian Msamati (in The Guardian ) on playing Iago in Othello: ‘The challenge in all of it is to nd the weakest point in any character which, I believe, is how you tap into the humanity of that character without judgement. Tapping into jealousy in itself is very easy. It’s more dif cult to tap into love for the victim of that jealousy; just as Salieri [in Amadeus ] loves music, Iago loves Othello. I don’t think you can commit yourself to such a dogged path of revenge or retribution unless you feel a great love – from great love comes great hurt and hate.’ Lucian Msamati (right) as Iago, with Hugh Quarshie as Othello. TIP Many actors strive to create well-rounded characters with virtues and faults or, as Msamati describes above, a combination of love and hate. When analysing a performance, consider whether the character is a complex one or a more simple, stereotypical hero or villain. The only 3.6 photo supplied was incorrect (as marked up) – Please supply the Present Laughter photo required for this space – Design THEATRE IN PRACTICE In a Guardian review, the critic Michael Billington describes some of the skills of the actor Andrew Scott, who plays an egotistical star in the Noel Coward comedy Present Laughter : ‘The chief joy, however, lies in watching Scott’s display of Garry’s boyish vanity. Accused of overacting, he beats himself about the face as if con rming the charge. Whenever mention is made of the Peer Gynt he was prevented from playing, Scott looks like a woebegone child deprived of a longed-for present. Funniest of all is his encounter with the playwright from Uck eld, Roland Maule, whom Luke Thallon invests with a lunging intensity. Prising his hand from Maule’s ferocious grasp, Scott dips it in a beaker of cooling water. But, while capturing Garry’s n ed to esca e the clamorous demands of outsiders, Scott also has the orphaned look of stardom.’ Andrew Scott as Garry Essendine in Present Laughter . TASK 7 Identify examples of Scott’s acting skills in the Michael Billington review. Note words which indicate whether or not he thought the performance was successful. TIP Many theatres, including the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, have education departments. Find out if the theatre which produced the play you saw provides education packs. These can give helpful insights into the creative processes. 20 LIVE THEATRE EVALUATION