StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Critique of a play to be watched - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Theatre Critique The Eumenides is the third part of Aeschylus Oresteian Trilogy and is recognized as one of the seminal dramatic productions of Greek antiquity. The play itself explores issues of morality and justice in a dramatic context that is indicative of a true masterpiece…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.1% of users find it useful
Critique of a play to be watched
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Critique of a play to be watched"

Download file to see previous pages

In this version a variety of critical interpretations are advanced, with the interpretation most centrally being that Greek theatrical productions remain important aspects of the literary and cultural landscape not through being reimagined and reinterpreted but through the preservation of their core structural dimensions. In viewing Peter Hall’s production of the Eumenides one of the first aspects one notices is it preservation of traditional Greek structural dimensions. In the opening scene the speaker is masked (indeed, this is thematic throughout all the characters) indicative of a traditional Greek production.

In these regards, Hall himself stated that, “Greek plays are impossible without the mask. its very mystery solved not only the problem of expressing unbearable feeling, but also how to make the unending laments of the chorus understandable to a modern audience". In these regards, the mask clouds the identity of the characters such that audiences throughout humanity can cast their own insights and emotions onto the characters. In addition to these authentic elements, the play includes an orchestra that accompanies the production much like one would imagine the Greek stage of antiquity.

It’s indicative of Hall’s intentions in the production of keeping the play true to authentic form as the music does not function in the background as is the case with film, television, or indeed a great many stage productions, but is intermingled with the stage action seamlessly. This demonstrates Hall’s vision as the viewer shares the same presence as would a viewer listening to the orchestra during a performance of the Eumenides in antiquity. This element also demonstrates the everlasting nature of Hall’s perspective when one considers that in great part this structural format – the melding of music and on-stage narrative – has persisted even into the mainstream contemporary social environment in terms of the music video; all the more remarkable considering that this production occurred the same year as the emergence of MTV.

The stage dimensions of this opening scene are also indicative of what one envisions the Greek stage place to be as, with the speaker subtly cognizant of the expansive nature of the audience. The physical dimensions of the stage space are also directly reminiscent of the ancient Greek stage with round stage platform with a backdrop outlining the screen. If there is any room to critique Hall’s production it would be in his firm reliance on this element of the Greek stage, but as the play advances one witnesses the implementation of modern methods of shot selection and editing that are melded into this otherwise authentic production.

In these regards, Hall’s version of the Eumenides is not as entirely authentic in the classic Greek sense as he would have the audience believe, yet is perhaps more powerful for it, as his subtle re-workings emerge in aspects that open the play to broader contextual meaning and purpose. In great part the screen space is outlined in black and white. While it is a filmed stage production and one can argue that this is simply an aspect of its reproduction onto the screen space, it nevertheless takes on aesthetic meaning in the context of analysis.

Without delving too far into literary critique the black and white simply functions as a means of bringing out the color that has possible symbolic implications; however this critique does not delve into these literary elements but rather considers how director Hall

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Critique of a play to be watched Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1415076-critique-of-a-play-to-be-watched
(Critique of a Play to Be Watched Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words)
https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1415076-critique-of-a-play-to-be-watched.
“Critique of a Play to Be Watched Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1415076-critique-of-a-play-to-be-watched.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Critique of a play to be watched

Caliban and Colonialism

??(392) A feeling of being watched and being made answerable for one's innate feelings is what Prospero introduces in Caliban.... The ambiguity in the play regarding the position of Caliban comes from what Shakespeare makes the other characters speak.... The attitudes that the colonizers held regarding colonized races comes in for critique here and the tendency to exoticize them is held up as worthy of contempt....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Critique the Play: The Legacy of Light by Karen Zacarias

Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Critique the Play: The Legacy of Light by Karen Zacarias a play starts in the creator's mind and its final storage area is the memories and minds of the viewers.... The questions have to do with emotional excitement, intellect stimulation, the surprise element, thrill, if it is complete, the credibility of the actors, whether the actors are convincing, electrifying, enchanting, if the play is alive or dead, if it is original, if it is logically sound, if the action is gratuitous or purposeful, if the play transports the audience or if the audience is plainly waiting for it to end, and if the play matches the view of what a play should be or does it require a change in its standards (Cohen 442)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Critique of Escape Plan Film

The paper "critique of Escape Plan Film" discusses that the movie is presented in an authorial voice with the purpose of entertaining the audience.... I watched a movie in the middle of the week when I had no homework.... An important part of the film's critique is how the director holds the attention of the audience....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Midsummer Nights Dream

This convention of a play with a play is called a masque.... nother aspect of the paradox of comedy is the casting of the play.... Bottom professes that he prefers to play a tyrant better than a lover.... he impact of this play being enacted for the noble audience of Theseus, Hippolyta, and Philostrate is to illustrate the comedy of two ill-fated lovers who are separated by circumstances.... This play is staged in goodwill....
3 Pages (750 words) Book Report/Review

FIFA's Marketing Techniques

This tournament was highly advertised and was highly watched by fans all over the world.... The FIFA 2006 World Cup finals took place in Germany.... It between 9th June and 9th July.... Italy won the tournament by defeating France 5-3.... This was in the penalty after their extra time ended in a 1-1 draw....
10 Pages (2500 words) Case Study

Critically analyse the International Olympic Committee, politicaly and memebers' corruptions

Over two thirds of the worlds population watched the summer Olympic Games in some part of the global television.... Transnational companies not… nly supported sporting events, but companies also involve the top players take part in these competitions and on contract to one of these major global companies....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Review for Carmen

Major ActionThere were many actions that I observed to be exemplary in terms of the finest performance as I watched the play.... There are a number of aspects of the play that can be marked as commendable.... The play has a number of details that have made the play quite interesting from the performance of the cast… The story of Carmen has been depicted in the form of different plays and theatrical presentations, but only few have been able to reflect the true essence of the story....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Structural Restrictions to Involvement to Leisure Activity

The above stated authors have played a major role in enabling the understanding of the barriers which are said to play a dominant role in determining the preference of the leisure activity as well as participation in them (p.... … @2012Personal critique (week 6)Structural constraints to leisureDespite the fact that leisure is termed as freely selected, enjoyable as well as motivating doubts arises whether leisure is really freely chosen.... The work of Jackson, Crawford and @2012Personal critique (week 6)Structural constraints to leisureDespite the fact that leisure is termed as freely selected, enjoyable as well as motivating doubts arises whether leisure is really freely chosen....
6 Pages (1500 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us