Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis was originally written by Kafka as a novella in 1912, however in 1969 the play was adapted by Berkoff.

Set:

Berkoff's set design for Metamorphosis is very simple, it consists of three stools downstage centre and upstage centre is "Gregor's Cage" it is a simplistic set as in Berkovian theatre, Berkoff preferred for characters to use mime in order to tell a story.

The lighting was similarly very simplistic often being a white light with spotlights on different sections off the stage for example at points in Metamorphosis a spotlight shines on Gregor's Cage in order to draw the audiences attentions towards Gregor and away from the rest of the family. 

The Context:

Social - after reading Kafka's novella Berkoff felt a relation to the ideas of      repression from the novella. Berkoff, similar to Gregor, would have been classes as non-Aryan as he was Socially and Racially inferior. Berkoff had a difficult Relationship with his father and the relationship between Gregor and Mr Samza's reminded Berkoff of his own troubled past which further inspired him into rewriting the play.

Cultural - Berkoff was a Marxist, meaning he was in favour of a communist system in favour of the capitalist system which most likely inspired the theme of overworking the labour force etc. as being a Marxist Berkoff most likely examined the effect of capitalism on labour resulting in the idea of Gregor turning into a beetle as a result of the stress of a capitalist society.

Historical - Berkoff's adaptation was written in 1969, a period of social reform in England, for example the legalisation of homosexuality. Further, the activism that occurred during the 60s allowed people to feel as if they could express there more extreme views, which was great for Berkoff's controversial style of theatre.

Kafkaesque:

Kafkaesque is a style of literature which originated from and is named after Franz Kafka. The style refers to situations, experiences, or environments that are nightmarishly complex, bizarre, illogical, and often oppressive.

Metamorphosis Context:

Social, Cultural, Historical                                         Berkoff + Kafkaesque

Samsas are Jewish, Berkoff grew up in Stepney, Persecution against the Jewish community

Gregor - strange relationship with his father, kafka - strange relationship with father, Berkoff - strange relationship with father

1912 - what has happened:

- post-industrial revolution

- verge of WW1

berkoff born 1937, WW2 propaganda of Jews, was a marxist, now a Tory 

berkoff's metamorphosis is a criticism of capitalism and living to work rather than working to live  

Directors concept:

Tech:

Lighting - birdies and floodlights to create shadows and shapes. (chief clerk needs a corridor to walk down, create this using lighting backlit, to create massive shadow) shadows is a big part of metamorphosis...

use of movers (LEDs) used as spotlights used to create effects 

examples: family sat there uplight to downlight do do do (lights switch over 1 by 1)

sound (majority coming from actors but some sounds like ticking of a clock heart pumping blood, clicking sounds) surround sounding speakers in the seats 

casting 

family - i want tim burton esc roal doahl kevin blake (greta corpses bride esc like a bllet dancer from a music box)

chief clerk - edna small danny dyer type

gegor strong but lean, able to hang on for a long time naturalistic 

need the terminology and context 

answer the questions DAD

Director (35 minutes)

Actor (15 minutes)

Design (20 minutes)

Director Question:

• concept
• when are you setting it?
• where are you setting it?
• what is the purpose of setting it at this point? [context]
• what is your intended effect as a director?
• how does this link to Berkovian theatre 
• SCH CONTEXT

all of this will help build the world that you are trying to create

after you introduce your concept you need to direct your cast. think about...

• casting 
• intention - always link back to the question
• extract + rest of the play 
• interaction - with other actors and with set/props/costume
• techniques 
• quotes
• SCH CONTEXT

Actor question:

• link every paragraph back to the question to stop you from waffling
• Focus on one character - you are playing this character so you should speak in first person
• context of the extract 
• Berkovian and theatre techniques - vocal, physical and spatial
• Description, analysis, evaluation, context
• quotes

like a 12 marker for GCSE you need to split up the extract so that you can cover everything the question asks of you. your language needs to be sophisticated, everything you write about needs to have meaning and be related to the character you are playing. you should use quotes to help guide your answer.

Designer question:

• lighting 
• sound
• set
• costume

Whatever the question the key features include:

• concept 
• link to the extract
• intended effect 
• link to practitioner 
• SCH Context

you will need to draw and label for this question in order to access top band. you don't need to be an artist for this

lighting 

• Floodlights 
• Fresnel 
• Birdie 
• Parcan
• Profile 

lighting plays an important role in creating impact. Colour, intensity, positioning. It all helps to tell a story and something about intention

lighting - positioning 

• back lit
• spotlight
• side light
• up lighting
• wash
• strobe
• blinders

shadows are an important part of metamorphosis. positioning paired with intensity will change the types of shadow you will create 

Majority of the sound effects from Meta (slang for metamorphosis) come from actors - you do not need to talk about these if you get as sound design question

Diegetic vs Non-diegetic

Sound design includes:

• Music (live or recorded)
• underscoring 
• ambient soundscapes
• foley effects
• microphones and amplification
• Silence (yes - silence is a design choice 

Costume and Makeup: