The 39 Steps Play Guide For AQA GCSE Drama

Task B20 The following extracts are from responses focusing on Scene 21, the Assembly Hall. Read them through and annotate them for mentions of: • Context, C • Precise design detail, D • Understanding of the play and characters, U . SECTION B STUDY OF A SET PLAY: THE 39 STEPS 45 Sample answers for Component 1, Section B, Question 1 KEY TERMS Serif: A style of typeface that has additional decorations beyond the basic letters. An example is Times New Roman. Distressed: When furniture or objects have been treated in order to look old or weathered. Lighting I will fade up with a wash of bright golden light across the stage, produced by fresnel lanterns in the wings and fly space. When Dunwoody and McQuarrie are at the lectern, a profile spot with a subtle pink filter will be used to focus attention on them. This will create an old-fashioned theatrical effect to reinforce the period setting. Costume In this scene, Hannay will retain some of his previous stylish appearance, but he will be disheveled and, at first, wear the Crofter’s old overcoat. U As appropriate for the 1930s, C I will costume Hannay in high-waisted pleated trousers, a broad- shouldered suit jacket and matching waistcoat, in a conventional brown herringbone tweed. The Crofter’s patched, black wool coat will hang loosely. D It is when Hannay takes off the rough coat that he is mistaken for the important guest speaker. He will straighten his tie and neaten his hair. As he is giving a political speech, I will have Dunwoody place a large, colourful party rosette on his jacket. Set To create a 1930s Assembly Hall, I will have a large cloth banner with ‘Vote McCorquodale’ drop down from the fly space, along with metres of brightly coloured bunting, strung stage right to stage left, creating an optimistic, old-fashioned atmosphere. A truck will be used to push on a small wooden stage centre stage with a 1930s microphone on a stand and a lectern. Dunwoody will bring on a stack of period oak folding chairs, placed at either side of the stage. Props and stage furnishings Although Art Deco furniture might be seen in fashionable areas, I believe that in this rural location, the Assembly Hall furniture would be more practical. When designing the lectern, I would aim for a sturdy and old-fashioned look, such as heavy oak, with a slanted top, on which speech notes could be put. I would have ‘Assembly Hall’ etched into the front of it in a traditional serif style. As I want to suggest it has been used for years, it will be distressed . Sound I want to capture the mood of ordinary people in Britain in the 1930s. To begin, I will play a recording of a marching band tune, perhaps including bagpipes. This will gradually fade during the opening lines of the scene. I will have a practical, 1930s-style stand microphone on stage to amplify the speakers’ voices. Recorded applause will give the impression of an enthusiastic audience. However, to emphasise the artificiality and to create a comic effect, I will have the applause snap on and off.