GCSE Drama – Live Theatre Evaluation

Acting is one of the most notable aspects of any theatrical production. Whether you are seeing an intimate one-person show, a large-scale musical or an immersive , promenade performance, you will undoubtedly be in uenced by the quality of the performances. Performance types and styles Some styles of performance, might be: naturalistic stylised contemporary period comic dramatic a combination of some of the above. The genre and style of the production will in uence the type of acting you see. Here are some key features of each type. Naturalistic acting This is intended to create believable characters behaving in a realistic fashion. Some features of naturalistic acting include: small, meaningful gestures believable reactions accurate recreations of situations and conversations non- stereotypical characters. Naturalistic acting usually involves ignoring the presence of the audience and observing the fourth wall between the audience and the stage. It is found in many different plays, from the 19th-century works of Ibsen and Chekhov to contemporary drama. Stylised acting This type of acting may involve heightened or exaggerated performances. It can be found in pantomimes, as well as a range of other theatre including some musicals, period drama and contemporary movement pieces. It may involve: synchronised movement dance stereotypical or larger-than-life characters speaking directly to the audience. Contemporary acting This acting is often used to convey modern stories and themes, for example, plays dealing with social or political concerns, or contemporary autobiographical plays. The acting will re ect modern uses of voice and movement and can range from naturalism to storytelling . Arinzé Kene’s play Misty , for example, requires a variety of contemporary acting skills, as it blends rap, spoken word and stand-up comedy. Kristin Scott Thomas and Chiwetel Ejiofor in The Seagull . 12 ANALYSING AND EVALUATING ACTING CHAPTER 3