Homework: Theatrical Production Analysis
Your next homework is a theatrical production analysis. For this homework, you must view a recorded or live version of Macbeth. You will analyze the production in the following areas: Note: each of these areas will be a separate and distinct section with a clear heading in your essay.
I. Costumes
1. What can you tell about the time period of the costumes? Are there specific costumes that convey meanings about specific characters?
2. Choose three characters' costumes and describe them in detail. (Each character's costume will be a subheading in your analysis.) Include details such as color, style, and any defining characteristics about these particular costumes. Make sure you address the following question: How does each costume affect your understanding of or the actor's interpretation of the character?
II. Setting/stage backdrops
1. Is there something particularly unique about the setting or the stage backdrops?they If you view a stage production, what is unique about the backdrops? Are they elaborate? If the movie is a theater stage that has been filmed, what is unique about the setting? Are there elaborate backdrops in the filmed production? If you are viewing a movie that is filmed outside, how does the setting affect your understanding of the play?
2. In addition to your discussion of the setting of the production overall, include three individual discussions of the settings of three separate scenes. (Each of these settings will be a subheading in your analysis.) What unique choices did the director make about these scenes? How did the setting of the scene affect the way the characters moved/responded to their surroundings? How did the setting of the scene affect your understanding of it?
III. Props
1. Describe the use of props overall. Was the production such that they had all of the props the characters would need in the real world? Were the props very minimal instead?
2. Choose three specific props to discuss. (Each prop will be a subheading in your analysis.) What was unique about each of these props? How did each prop affect your understanding of the scene or the character's actions?
IV. Artistic interpretation of three of the characters
Choose three characters from the production that you think were portrayed particularly well. (Each character will be a subheading in your analysis.) What was unique about each portrayal? What was your favorite scene with this character? Why? How did the actor/actress enhance your understanding/perspective of the character?
V. Music/Sound and Lighting
Analyze either the music or the sound and the lighting in the production. Each will be its own subheading. Was there music used in the production? If not, focus on the sound--the sound effects in the production. Also discuss the lighting in the production. How did each of these affect or enhance your understanding of the production?
VI. Specific analysis of Macbeth's "dagger" soliloquy
Examine the "dagger" soliloquy in both the production you viewed and the Daniel Mays version you viewed in Lesson 3.1:
1. Which version of the soliloquies did you prefer? Why?
2. Select two elements of the soliloquies to compare/contrast. For example, you might focus on props, volume, facial expressions, or tone and explain how this unique aspect enhanced/detracted from each version.
VII. Unique aspects of this production
Choose two other things from the production to discuss. For example, you might consider the following questions:
1. What symbolism was evident in the play? How were these symbols used to enhance the production?
2. How was the supernatural portrayed in the production? How did this affect the production and/or the audience experience?
3. What other elements of the production were significant and affected the viewer experience?
To help you complete a successful analysis of the production you watch, visit this play review site and read the information on this site carefully:
Notice that in this homework you should not summarize the plot of the play. Your audience (your teacher) has read and seen the play and is very familiar with it. Instead, I will be looking for careful analysis of all of the required elements described above.
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
1. The answer must be double spaced, typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.