A level drama

During this week in our Performing Arts lessons I have been observing and evaluating the A Level groups drama piece. We watched the a run through of the performance twice, and each time it got better and better. It gave me a clear idea of what it is going to be like next year studying A level drama, and the type of things I will be getting up to. It also showed me the standard level of drama I will have to reach. 


The first run through I watched was good, but you could tell it wasn't finished. But they set across the story line very well. At the beginning of the performance I wasn't to sure what the story line was but towards the end it all became very clear to me, and looking back at what I had watched it all made sense. The second time I watched it I noticed things I hadn't seen before I think this was because they had rehearsed it more and put it across in a clearer/stronger way. The story line wasn't obvious but I liked the way you had to work it out for yourself, it made me feel more part of the performance and made it more enjoyable to watch.


The story was about a painter and his conscience playing around in his mind, but the way they did this was very clever. You could see his consciences which where played by Zoe Fletcher and Georgia Stillman. The audience could see them however the doctor who was played by Emily couldn't. This is why at the beginning it isn't clear it is only towards the middle you start to realize they are his consciences and Emily cannot see them. And towards the end you realize the artist was in a mental hospital and the girls where in his mind, and he falls in love with Emily as she is the only girl to accept his painting. They acted out a rape scene very well! By using music and physical theater to portray it. They used the song 'sway' and that style as that song is very sexy and sassy. The piece is very difficult to word, but when acted out it all makes sense. 


The acting was amazing, and I struggle to pick out any faults. The strengths of acting got better each time I watched it. My favorite character was John (the artist) his character was very difficult to play but he did this very well. He had to use strong language and be very aggressive and sexual, he stayed in character for the whole thing. He had to change from an adult into a little boy, and he did this transition very well, and made it very clear. The only thing he could improve is when rehearsing in front of an audience if he forgets his lines to just carry on and not stop and come out of character. 


The girls who played his conscience where amazing! They acted this out so well, and to show they where fantasy characters they over acted but this was spot on. It was almost like they where one character as their connection to one and other was very good. They didn't once come out of character and the way they used their eyes was amazing, and was actually quite creepy. The movements they did as well at the same time was very strong and effective. The relationship they had with John was very strong and was extremely believable that they where a part of him. The only thing they can improve is making there actions a little more over the top, to make it more fantasy like and different from John and Emily. 


Emilys job was very difficult as she had to remain normal throughout, no matter how abnormal every one around her was. Her physical theater part with john (rape scene) was done very well, and was very powerful and effective. However at the beginning when she was showing people round the gallery she needed more confidence as people with that job tend to be very confident.


They used set as well which was thought out very well, including paintings which all linked to the acting. Following a creepy theme, creating a tense atmosphere. I liked how they used cctv footage at the beginning showing Georgia and Zoe and then at the end without them to show they where really in John's mind, I thought this was very well thought out and effective. It made the piece more understandable as well. The lighting and song choice used as well was also very clever and made a clear change between fantasy and reality.


The performance was very professional, and it made me feel uncomfortable at the right times. The atmosphere was creepy, and left me thinking something was going to jump out any moment (when it didn't). Watching the performance has given me a better understanding of what A Level Drama is like, and I can't wait to be doing it for the next two years! It was a great performance, and hope they get the good grades they deserve.