GCSE Drama – Live Theatre Evaluation

Performance evaluation Beyond describing and analysing the performance you must evaluate it, considering whether or not it was effective and successful. This means doing more than just writing that it was ‘good’ or ‘bad’ or ‘funny’ or ‘sad.’ Think about the following: Did the performance fulfil its purpose? For example, if an actor was meant to represent a person of particular circumstances (age, nationality, background), were they successful? Was the performance technically accomplished? Did the actor meet the physical and vocal demands of the part? Did the performance engage and interest the audience? For example, were there moments that were surprising or moving or exciting? Did the performance contribute to the mood and atmosphere? For example, if the role was meant to be comic or frightening, did the performance achieve that? Did the performance help you to understand the characters? For example, if the characters were meant to be wealthy or careless, did the actors represent that? Did the performance support the themes of the play? For example, if the play was about poverty or injustice, did the performance convey that? 21 CHAPTER 3 ANALYSING AND EVALUATING ACTING