The Crucible Play Guide for AQA GCSE Drama

SECTION B STUDY OF A SET PLAY: THE CRUCIBLE 47 Characterisation You need to understand how different roles in the play could be performed. The playwright has given indications about the characters and their backgrounds, feelings and desires. Actors and directors must use their skills to convey these ideas to the audience. Areas to consider when developing a performance include: 4 The character’s importance to the play 4 Whether the character changes and develops during the play 4 In what ways an actor could use vocal and physical skills to portray the character 4 How an actor could use the stage space and interaction with others 4 How the play’s context and style might influence acting choices 4 What the character’s thoughts, feelings and motivations are and how these might be put across or influence acting choices 4 How the subtext of the character’s lines could be expressed 4 What impact the actor’s choices would have on how the audience understands the character. Theatre Calgary 6 KEY TERMS Motivations: The feelings behind what a character wants or needs, in a particular scene. Subtext: The unspoken meaning, feelings and thoughts ‘beneath’ the lines, which might be shown in a character’s body language, tone of voice and facial expressions.