Unit 3 Influential Performance Practice - Deacon Cutt

 Prologue  From watching the opening number, it is incredibly clear that all the members of each gang can both act and dance. The dancing itself appears to be a mixture of contemporary dance with elements of more traditional styles such as jazz, this also gives the fight scenes a feeling of organised chaos; as it is clear that these moments have been choreographed however it still feels like the kind of dirty street fight that you might find between gangs.  There is also a build in tension throughout the first few minutes of the number as a result of the clicking. The subtle build up of speed and volume creates a rising feeling which is heightened even further by moments where they pause the clicking, with a silence that makes the audience unaware as to if they will continue or release the growing tension that the clicking has produced.  The movements within the piece began minor and subtle however grew to becoming increasingly lively and expressive and the number we...

Name: Edelweiss  Character: George Von Trapp  From: The Sound Of Music (1959) By: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II   I believe this song is a reflection on the society in which we live, although I feel that it applies a great deal more to society in the period of which the song was written. The song details Captain George Von Trapp saying goodbye to his homeland: Austria after pressure is being placed on him to join the navy of Nazi Germany in World War Two. However, his description of the flower "Edelweiss" shows his devotion and love for his homeland. This reflects society particularly from the period due to men being drafted for World War Two often against their will with them being between the ages of 18-45 and some even younger. Many of them were fathers who did not want to leave their wives and children who didn't want to be in a conflict and have that risk of death put upon them. Although not to the same extent, this kind of sentiment is still seen in eleme...

 

  Jukebox - Singing In The Rain (1952), Mamma Mia (1999) Book Musical - Showboat (1927), Oklahoma! (1943) Musical Comedy - Showboat (1927), Porgy & Bess (1943) Mega Musical - Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (1968), Les Miserables (1980) American Variety Shows - Vaudeville, Burlesque Ballad Opera - The Beggar's Opera (1728) Operetta - Pirates Of Penzance (1879), Merry Widow (1905) Musical Films - Top Hat (1935), An American In Paris (1951) Concept Musical - Chicago (1975), Company (1970) Musical Play - Blood Brothers (1983), The Threepenny Opera (1928) Musicals In Britain - Oliver (1960), Bitter Sweet (1929)  Rock Musical - Rent (1996), Little Shop Of Horrors (1982) Musicals based on movies or books - Grease (1972), Hairspray (2002) 

My monologue is Othello's monologue from Act 5 Scene 2. It is performed by the character Othello from the 1604 play of the same name.  The story of Othello is still very relevant to today. Othello was a very decorated general within the Venetian army. Known for his bravery and his skill in battle, however in reality he was a man plagued with self doubt and insecurity; not allowed to show weakness as a result of his position in the army and society's expectation of him as a man.  Up until recently, society has viewed mental health as something that can be brushed over and isn't very important. However, throughout the mid 2000s this became something that was more talked about and was viewed as a much more important subject and part of wellbeing. Before that, the mentality surrounding mental illness was that it was something that could be dealt with later and wasn't anything that could affect you.  Particularly in this time period, men were supposed to be strong in the fac...

My monologue is from the play "Othello" by William Shakespeare.  The play follows the journey of Othello a Moorish Venetian general who is tasked by the leaders of Venice to hold one of the final remaining outposts of Cyprus at the end of their war against the Ottoman Empire of the 1570's. Othello takes his new wife Desdemona alongside some of his most trusted advisors, with his closest friend: Iago, who wishes to plot Othello's downfall. Over the course of the play, Iago manipulates and convinces Othello that Desdemona has been disloyal and has been sleeping with Casio; one of Othello's most promising subordinates. In the end, consumed by the situation, Othello kills Desdemona before killing himself.   Shakespeare is regarded as one of the most influential playwrights to ever live. He is famous for writing over 38 plays, all with themes that would make audiences think about moral questions. Shakespeare also is infamous for developing the stories within plays, giv...