Magical realism

Magical realism in drama incorporates a range of conventions that shape the dramatic form and theatrical style of plays. It blends the ordinary with the extraordinary, seamlessly integrating fantastical elements into the everyday world. The conventions of magical realism may overlap and compliment contemporary Australian theatre practice. This happens as audiences engage with plays like Neighbourhood Watch and come to understand magical realism's conventions as part of ways to tell stories on the contemporary stage. 

This list is not meant to be exhaustive or prescriptive: you can add to, refine or change this list depending on your study of the play.

• Ambiguity – magical realism often blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, leaving room for interpretation. Audiences are encouraged to question whether the supernatural events are real or the product of characters' imaginations.

• Ordinary, real-world settings – the genre typically unfolds in everyday, familiar settings, grounding the fantastical elements in the mundane. This juxtaposition of this on stage creates a sense of wonder as multimedia and illusory production elements help create a sense of the fantastical.

• Symbolism – objects, events, or characters in magical realism frequently carry symbolic meaning. The supernatural elements often serve as metaphors for deeper themes or emotions and the dramatic symbolism is often an extension of cultural, social, political and personal issues and concerns.

• Surreal events and contrasting realities – the genre embraces surreal and illogical events that defy conventional explanations. These events challenge the audience's perception of reality, or create contrasting realities that may not be fully explained or resolved by the playwright.

• Cultural roots – magical realism often draws from cultural myths, folklore, or traditions. These cultural elements infuse the narrative with relatable ideas for audiences as they move from the familiar to the unfamiliar.

• Dreamlike atmosphere – productions aim to create a dreamlike atmosphere through evocative visuals, music, and lighting. This contributes to the sense of enchantment and otherworldliness. This dreamlike atmosphere will often contrast with the ordinary real-world setting and the production elements used to cue the difference.

• Interconnectedness and psychological insight – characters and events are often interconnected, reflecting the idea that everything in the world is linked. Actions have consequences that ripple through the narrative.

• Acceptance of the extraordinary – in magical realism, characters typically accept the magical elements as a normal part of their world, leading to a sense of integration rather than astonishment.

• Fluidity of time – time is often portrayed as fluid in magical realism, allowing characters to move between past, present, and future.

Learning intention

To integrate and develop your understanding of the issues and concerns presented in Neighbourhood Watch with conventions of magical realism through class discussion and written reflection.

Instructions

• In a group of 3 or 4, select a scene from Neighbourhood Watch that you find particularly rich in conventions of magical realism. Consider scenes where the ordinary blends with the extraordinary, where reality is distorted by flashbacks and where the fantastical could coexist seamlessly in your interpretation. Note: you might want to coordinate with the rest of the groups in the class so that you choose a variety of scenes to develop and share.

• Analyse the scene you've chosen and identify the magical realism conventions present. Refer to the list of conventions above. Make notes on how these conventions manifest within the scene.

• Working collaboratively, devise a performance of the chosen scene (2 to 3 minutes). Pay close attention to how you can enhance or emphasise the conventions of magical realism using the elements of drama (such as character, tension, space, time, and focus) and production (such as multimedia, costume and lighting). Think about character portrayals, settings, and interactions that can bring these conventions to life.

• Dedicate time to rehearse your scene, ensuring that the conventions of magical realism are effectively conveyed to the audience. Pay attention to timing, pacing, and the emotional depth of your performance.

• Each group will present their devised scene to the class. As you watch the other groups, take notes on how they incorporated magical realism conventions and production techniques.

• Discuss the conventions, and elements creating them, after each performance.

Reflection

After all groups have performed, take a moment to reflect on the activity and your learning and answer the questions below in your study notes (around 300 words total).

• What magical realism conventions did you identify in your chosen scene, and how did you incorporate them into your performance?

• How did the elements of drama contribute to the portrayal of magical realism in your scene?

• Which elements of production were most effective in enhancing the magical realism elements?

• In what ways did your understanding of the (cultural, social, political and personal) issues or concerns of the scene/play deepen through the use of the conventions?

You might wish to turn these reflection questions in to study notes in your study table. Refer to the 'Study notes' page for more information.