Woyzeck: Exploring Stage Space

636 Words3 Pages
Outline for your performers two ways they might explore their use of stage space in scene twelve of this extract. The audience watching the piece would be seated in a ‘Theatre in the round’ style, with the acting area in the centre of the room. Not only would they be sat around the stage, but they would also be slightly raised so they were above the acting space, looking down on the actions. This reflects the theme of a hierarchy, where Woyzeck is not only constantly under the watchful eye of other characters such as the Doctor, but is also socially and mentally classed beneath characters such as the Drum Major. Having the audience sat around the stage shows how Woyzeck is trapped both physically (as he is unable to hide in the stage wings) and mentally. Thus linking back to how Woyzeck has no escape mechanisms of his life and is constantly under the scrutiny of others. The two Journeymen in the scene would be centre stage, standing on chairs or boxes so that they are raised above all of the other actors, as they are the entertainers of the scene and would demand the most attention from people. The actual props and set on stage would very minimalist – a couple of chairs or boxes that the Journeymen stand and dance on and beer glasses or alcoholic bottles to represent the idea that the characters are in a social place like a bar or pub. By having minimalist props and set, it subtly links back with the theme of poverty and how the characters in this scene are unable to afford much, but are still able to enjoy themselves and be merry with one another. The fact that the two Journeyman are the only two standing on chairs/boxes show that they, in this scene, have a higher status than everyone else and get the seating. Whereas everyone in the scene, the ‘crowd’ actors and spectators, would be sat around the stage area, so on the edge of the stage itself, on the

More about Woyzeck: Exploring Stage Space

Open Document