“SEVEN AGES”
GCSE DRAMA PORTFOLIOS 2005
This is a reminder of what happened. Use your own words, not mine!
Keep track of your word count. You may need to go back to include more detail in various sections or cut down if too much
(find the speech on the www: Use this plus any images if poss. You could either use parts of the speech as subtitles or include the entire speech and annotate it)
NOT JUST NARRATIVE, OPINION COUNTS
PRESENT IT. THIS IS NOT AN ENGLISH ESSAY-
IT IS A DRAMA PORTFOLIO THAT SHOULD SHOW UNDERSTANDING, ENTHUSIASM & CREATIVITY
USE IMAGES ETC.
The two Drama texts we used were:
(TOTAL 3000 WORDS)
Introduction
As a whole class, you were asked to think about, discuss and write down your version of the various different stages/ages of man and split them into into seven groups.
You were then presented with the Shakespeare speech. You compared your results with Shakespeare’s.
What were they, or how did they differ. Were they surprisingly similar or world’s apart?
this is how you explored and developed the 7 ages
you found a link between this first age and the last age
contrasted and compared using MIME, USE OF LEVELS, USE OF VOICE
and CROSSCUTTING. What did you do and how effective was this?
You then used FORUM THEATRE to share and develop your ideas. What was the result?
In your own words, what are the key points/ similarities for these ages?
As a group, what did you do for this age? USE OF VOICE? PHYSICAL THEATRE? did it explore and demonstrate the age effectively?
In your own words, what are the key points for this age?
USE OF COSTUMES. What happened, was it effective, what was your approach to this Subject? was it difficult/easy to perform, explore. Did you use comedy, Tragedy, pathos?
In your own words, what are the key points for this age?
For this age you both explored the text (you discussed both the literal and metaphorical soldier ie: real soldier and studentYou tried to think of a modern equivelant to this age and using “forum theatre” you explored and developed a modern day scenario.
Why? Did this develop into a short play? Was this interesting /useful/ exciting/successful? Discuss. )
and then used a contemporary text (sound scape) to compare/ contrast it with. What happened, how did you develop the idea of “seeking the bubble reputation”?
In your own words, what are the key points for this age?
what did you do here?
In your own words, what are the key points for this age?
When it came to the sixth age, you needed to know more about the “lean and slippered pantaloon”. You discovered that this came from “Commedia Del ‘Arte” and Shakespeare audience would have known Pantalone from seeing Commedia troupes perform in the street.
We had a workshop on Commedia.
Each character had his own walk, physical mannerism/ characteristics and the style of theatre uses masks, physical theatre, set routines and improvisation
(images would be helpful) Pantalone was one of their stock characters.
The characters we looked at included:
Pantalone: rich father/ master figure. often flatulent
Harlequin: (slapstick, black mask,distinctive pattern on clothes)
Pulchinello: (“little chicken” he became “Punch”)
The Doctor: (a Quack. Distinctive stooped run. His aim was to prescribe hilarious treatments)
The Captain: ( a ladies man and a coward. Walked with large steps but did not get anywhere)
Columbine: (either daughter or girlfriend. Dressed in same colours and style of byfriend)
The lovers: (the serious aspect if this genre, but not for long !)
The Zanni: (term Zany came from this. The stupid servants, clowns and acrobats)
We used voice, gesture, movement and mime to gain a better understanding of the stereotypes/characters. We also explored slapstick comedy. What happened? Was it successful? which character did you portray?
In your own words, what are the key points for this age?
In your own words, what are the key points for this age?
In-role writing
Write either “A letter home” or “A diary entry” for soldier (or any other age if you prefer - if appropriate to your piece, you could include a piece of in-role writing here eg. Appropriate love poem ).
(Try to aim for between 350 and 500 words for this)
Summary
Compare and contrast the two texts (Shakespearean speech and Contemporary music)
What happens when you use two different texts as stimulus for Drama. Is it possible to use a speech to explore & develop different scenes and styles of theatre?
How relevant do you think Shakespeare’s Seven Ages of Man speech is today?
GOOD LUCK. I EXPECT NOTHING SHORT OF BRILLIANT!
ANY PROBLEMS, Email me.