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Objectives
This activity will help you to think about how you could stage Act I Scene VIII of The Beggar’s Opera. You will consider the requirements of the performance space for this scene, and work on a range of strategies to help the performers to gain a deeper understanding of their roles.
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Outcomes
By working through this activity you will:
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create a visual record of your ideas for staging Act I Scene VIII of The Beggar’s Opera
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record key moments from your practical character development work.
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Resources
To complete the activities you will need access to:
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Kar2ouche Rehearsal Room Content Library
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Sheet 13.1 Performance Space
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Sheet 13.2 Character Development
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1. First read/listen to Act I Scene VIII of The Beggar’s Opera.
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2. You have been asked to draw up a plan for a first rehearsal of this scene covering the following points.
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Outline to the performers the sort of space they will be working in and what sort of environment this will create for the characters.
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Describe how you might work on developing the three characters in this scene, including "off-the-text" work, giving reasons for your choice of approach.
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3. In pairs or small groups, discuss your ideas for the performance space for this scene. There is a sheet of prompt questions (Sheet 13.1 Performance Space) to help you with this task.
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4. Now open the Act I Scene VIII storyboard. Use the blank frames to record the ideas from your discussion, and add comments and notes to the caption windows. Use at least one frame to cover each of the aspects mentioned on the Performance Space sheet.
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To open the Act I Scene VIII storyboard
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5. Next consider how you will work on developing the three characters in this scene. In your group, discuss the strategies you will use for each character. Next, consider what "off the text" work would be helpful to the actors in their preparation for this scene. There are some ideas for you to consider on Sheet 13.2 Character Development. Make sure you allow plenty of time for putting your ideas into practice with your group!
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6. Open the Character storyboard. Here you can record examples of your group’s practical character development work. Make use of speech and thought bubbles, record lines of dialogue using the facilities in the text/audio window, and pose and position your characters within the performance space. Use the caption windows to evaluate the usefulness of each of the methods you used, and to explain what you learned from them.
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To open the Character storyboard
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7. In a follow-up session, you will have an opportunity to study a selection of frames from other students’ storyboards, and to consider differing approaches to this task. In a time of discussion and evaluation, consider the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches.
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8. Write up your ideas for the first rehearsal of Act 1 Scene VIII in essay form in 50 minutes. This will give you practice in writing under examination conditions, as well as giving you the opportunity to consolidate your ideas on this scene. The two specific tasks you have been given are to:
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outline to the performers the sort of space they will be working in and what sort of environment this will create for the characters, and
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b. |
describe how you might work on developing the three characters in this scene, including "off-the-text" work, giving reasons for your choice of approach.
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