Performance Kafka's Monkey - Essay Example

?The approaches that are used in plays and theater are able to provide different alternatives for those that are looking at specific expressions. Thethemes that are included in “Kafka’s Monkey,” written by Franz Kaka and adapted by Colin Teevan, are able to show a different form of production for those interested in the play. This particular play offers a way of reflecting contemporary society and the values which are given in the caring of monkeys that are trapped in a cage. The designs, expectations and the cast are able to contribute to the main ideology of the play while creating a strong impact and statement about the ideals of being “Kafka’s Monkey.” The show for “Kafka’s Monkey” was held at the Young Vic by the company from the Academy. The director is Walter Meierjohann, who uses Colin Teevan’s adaptation from the idea of “Metamorphosis” for this particular play. The designer for the set is Steffi Wurster and costumes are provided by Richard Hudson. Sound is offered by Nikola Kodjabashia and movement is directed by Ilan Reichel. Assistant direction is offered by Mia Have, stage management is provided by Lucy Parkes and tap instructor is provided by Temijin Gill. The cast includes Kathryn Hunter, who plays the escaped monkey from prison. The play is in a one – woman show with Hunter playing all parts and reflecting the issues that are within contemporary society through her rendition as a monkey. The main concept which was written in the play was based on a monkey who was stolen from Africa and brought into London as a part of a set of experiments. The monkey describes moving into a small cage from his freedom and how he has to find a way to gain his freedom and move outside of the cage. This is followed by his learning of how to appear as men do and to copy everything they do in order to get out of the cage. This particular tactic works as the monkey learns that drinking, doing tricks and mimicking specific behaviors immediately leads to him being set free from the cage. However, the condition is that the monkey has to continue expressing the same mannerisms as a show for the public to enjoy and so he can continue to survive outside of a cage. This particular plot line is one which was said to follow Kafka’s short story of “Metamorphosis.” However, the written text moves into the same philosophy and ideology while leaving the other components of the story in a different context. The writer and the script are both known to have a sound track record with several other productions, specifically because of the adaptation, as well as past performances. The script, style and the main theme work well to adapt to the idea of Metamorphosis into the monkey. The decision to have a one – act show as well as the perspective which this creates is similar to Kafka’s story. At the same time, it is able to reflect the conditions in society while making a strong statement that men who believe in reason and strong values are really being mimicked by monkeys, which would be considered as a less value. A technique that worked well with the script and the writing was based on the decision to make the performance a one act show. The perspective which is taken never moves outside of the monkey, which specifically shows the trap which it has gotten into as well as how it has created complications because of what society believes. The chosen material to mock by the monkey, such as drinking and playing, also show that men who have a specific belief that they are better than a monkey also are avoiding some of the dysfunctions within society. The playwright is able to use specific examples to show how there is a specific association with the ignorance of men and the writing style which is used. The main themes are followed by the design which is chosen to be used throughout the play. The main setting is one which is limited throughout the play with most being performed on an open stage. Any time there is an addition, it is of a wall, cage or small chair that is in the building. By having a minimalist approach, there is the ability to create a focus on the monkey as well as to internalize the thoughts of the monkey, as opposed to moving into the surrounding area. This is followed by the decision to use costumes with a top hat and a main tuxedo, which creates a reflection of the men that the monkey is imitating while allowing the monkey to stay inside a natural element, combined with the ideas of men. These particular concepts work, specifically because of the simplistic nature and the ability to not distract. However, everything that is used in terms of visualization is also representative of the internal thoughts of the monkey and the main theme of what is being said. The next aspect which is seen with the design is through the lighting, sound, music and special effects. The lighting is seen with the main spot light that follows the monkey when he is speaking about the particular situation as well as how this relates to his given situation. This is followed by the internal thoughts and the concept of the monkey being trapped in the situation. An example of this is when Hunter is able to begin moving like a monkey by pounding her arms on the stage with a spot light surrounding it. The two effects, while having an empty stage elsewhere, move into an inverted type of situation where one has to see the pain and trauma of the monkey. This is followed by some situations where the light is on the whole stage and is able to reflect the decision the monkey takes to be a part of society by mocking others. The mockery is one which shows the entire society, which allows the sounds and the lighting to work effectively by mocking the music, tap dance and the values in society through things such as drink. These concepts of design are then able to add into both the reflections of society and the internal thoughts of the monkey through the approach to the visualization, sound and main effects. The acting and the directors interpretation are another concept to consider. The skills of the character work effectively. As a one man show, the actress is able to hold the stage through the entire performance. The skills are inclusive of mimicking the monkey like behaviors through facial expressions, movement of the body and with the internal thoughts that would reflect in the body movements of the monkey. This is combined with the ability to move into the mocking of the humans, which creates a different level of expression used and which Hunter moves back and forth between easily. If it weren’t for the acting done by Hunter, the entire piece wouldn’t work and wouldn’t be able to convey the inner thoughts of the monkey as well as show what the surrounding reflections in society are. The acting is one which is followed with the director interpretation, specifically because there is the ability to use the acting as a way to reproduce the text and to show the script by combining the minimalist scenery with the acting skills which are used. The last aspect which is considered is the audience response. The majority was active and listening. The popularity of the show, as well as of Hunter, led to a variety of individuals, ranging from elder people to couples to younger individuals. This was included with most who were attentive and which reacted to the given situation with strong emotion. The use of one actress, the minimalist lighting and the approach which was taken forced everyone in the audience to pay attention. The ambience of the theater, while keeping a slightly more intimate look, as well as the focus of the various directions also combined with this. The dynamics of the production were then able to add into the attentiveness of the audience and continued to add in a specific amount of tension to what was occurring in the production. The smaller period of time with this amount of tension was able to create more dynamics within the theater. A larger venue wouldn’t have worked for this production and a smaller venue wouldn’t have allowed the concepts that the monkey applies to be well highlighted. The several concepts which related to “Kafka’s Monkey” show that there is a direct relationship to the several layers of acting. This is inclusive of the acting, stage production, directions, visual elements and the aspects of the text going to the stage. Each of these are combined with providing the main theme, which shows the thought processes of the monkey and combines this with the overall beliefs that the monkey is able to mimic when looking at humans. Showing these two elements and reflecting them in the specific production used is then able to create a dynamic piece that makes a strong statement with the approach that is used. Works Cited Meierjohann, Walter (dir). Kafka’s Monkey. Vic Theatre. 2011. Read More