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Explore theatrical styles and be inspired by the NSW Public Schools Year 10 Drama Ensemble 2021
Explore theatrical styles and be inspired by the NSW Public Schools Year 10 Drama Ensemble 2021
Student drama resource developed by The Arts Unit
Year 10 and 11 drama
What will I learn?
What will I learn?
In this class you will learn about physicalisation through movement and explore different styles of theatre, in particular, shadow puppetry and restoration theatre.
Get ready to enter the wonderful world of theatrical styles with the NSW Public Schools Year 10 Drama Ensemble 2021.
You will:
explore the recording of the NSW Public Schools Year 10 Drama Ensemble 2021 performance of 'The Emperor's New Clothes'.
engage in physical warm ups
perform stories in groups and in pairs using the dramatic techniques and theatrical conventions
reflect on the filmed performance and hone your critical writing skills.
Before you begin
Before you begin
You will need:
a clear space to move in safely
your logbook to record ideas and take notes
a device so that you can record your performances.
Introduction
Introduction
The Arts Unit runs weekly drama ensembles to enable students to develop their confidence and extend their skills in devising and performing drama. Ensembles are taught by experienced drama tutors and invited industry guests.
'The Emperor's New Clothes' was developed and performed by the NSW Public Schools Year 10 Drama Ensemble as their work for 2021.
An adaptation of the famous tale from Hans Christian Anderson, with a modern twist! Inspired by Restoration theatre this piece explores a kingdom where blind agreement can lead to disaster.
A foolish emperor, handsome weavers and a bunch of giggling (but deadly) young ladies transform the stage with lavish costumes, stylised movement and some fantastic chorus and character work.
Watch the performance
Watch the performance
Watch the NSW Public Schools Year 10 Drama Ensemble's performance of 'The Emperor's New Clothes'.
Year 10 Drama Ensemble 2021 - The Emperor's New Clothes - Performance
Duration: 19:36Warm up
Warm up
Task: Strutting it!
Task: Strutting it!
Mime getting dressed into an outrageously fantastic outfit.
Take the time to articulate your movements of putting each item on:
a ball gown with elbow length gloves
a tuxedo with a difficult waistcoat
a fabulous wig
a Shakespearean ruff
incredibly shiny boots with intricate laces.
Create your own flourishes and dress items.
Start feeling so good in your outfit that you wander the room thinking you are the best thing since sliced bread!
Extend this characterisation and react to others in the space as if they are all wearing something dreadful!
Reflect in your logbook
How was your body language and manner of walking impacted by your imagined costume?
Were there any particular moments or interations with others students that were intersting?
Shadow puppetry
Shadow puppetry
The Ensemble's performance features a moment of shadow puppetry when the weavers tell their story - the side panels are back lit - and 2D cutouts are moved around to match the action as the actors mime the adventure.
Watch the video How to make your own shadow puppet theatre and use the following instructions to create your own shadow puppetry performance.
How to make your own shadow puppet theatre
Duration: 00:50Task: Make a shadow puppet theatre
Task: Make a shadow puppet theatre
You will need:
a cardboard box
scissors
tissue paper
sticky tape
dark flat cardboard
paddlepop sticks or wooden skewers
a lamp or a torch.
Instructions:
Use scissors to cut out the back panel of your box.
Leave 2 of the side flaps to keep your puppet theatre stable, but cut off the front flaps (the pieces that close up the box).
For the front of your theatre, sketch out a smaller square within the front panel, you can make it fancy with an arch and pillars if you want but really all you need is a smaller square within the main square (like a television set).
On the inside of the box, tape a piece of tissue paper that covers the opening you have just cut out.
Place the theatre on the edge of a table.
Position a lamp or torch behind, shining directly into the inside, lighting up the tissue paper from within.
Make some shadow puppets and place them between the light and the screen. Keeping the puppets as close to the screen as possible works best.
Perform
Before creating your shadow puppets, consider which story you will bring to life. Try adding your own modern twist like the Year 10 Drama Ensemble.
Here are some other Hans Christian Anderson tales you could bring to life:
The Little Mermaid
The Princess and the Pea
Thumbelina.
Record your performance, or invite a younger audience to view.
Extension
Add music to your performance to enhance the mood and atmosphere.
Columbian hypnosis and seduction
Columbian hypnosis and seduction
Task: Columbian Hypnosis
Task: Columbian Hypnosis
Find a partner to work with for this activity
Students select A and B and stand facing each other at an arm’s length.
A extends their arm up, with their right palm facing student B’s face. Student A must now lead student B round the performance space with their palm. Student B must follow and ensure that the same distance is maintained. Student A should play with levels, speed and direction.
Students swap and B now leads A.
Audience debrief and then become the performers.
Watch Belinda Simon demonstrate this activity in the video Columbian Hypnosis below.
Columbian Hypnosis
Duration: 04:46
Extension
When students are in sync with their partner ask the leader to play with swapping hands and then using other body parts.
This activity can also be performed with individuals leading themselves with their own palm.
Task: Persuasion
Task: Persuasion
In a pair or a group, sell something to someone that they don’t want.
Use physicalisation and improvisation to show and tell your partner why this item will benefit their life; convince them that they definitely need it. You could sell:
new clothes
gold-embossed desk
6 toed shoes
webbed contact lenses.
Restoration theatre
Restoration theatre
Restoration theatre:
written and performed from approximately 1660 to 1700 AD
the plays explored a range of challenging ideas; such as gender politics, deceit and status
characters are driven by desire, greed and revenge
the style of comedy blended wit with risqué humour
unlike Elizabethan theatre, women were allowed to act.
You might like to watch the video 'Comedy of Manners | Restoration comedy' to learn more about the history and conventions of Restoration theatre.
Think about which Restoration theatre conventions are present in 'The Emperor's New Clothes'.
Make a note of these conventions in your logbook.
Task - The language of fans
Task - The language of fans
Watch the following 2 videos, 'Horrible Histories Georgian Fan Advert' and 'Horrible Histories - Fan Language' then complete the task.
Horrible Histories Georgian Fan Advert
Duration: 00:47Horrible Histories - Fan Language
Duration: 01:42The language of the fan
The language of the fan
Duvellroy's 'The Language of the Fan'
Follow me: carrying the fan in the right hand in front of your face.
Desirous of acquaintance: carrying the fan in the right hand in front of your face.
I wish to get rid of you: placing it on left ear.
You have changed: drawing across forehead.
We are watched: twirling on the left hand.
You are too willing: carrying in the right hand.
I hate you: drawing through the hand.
I love another: twirling in the right hand.
I love you: drawing across the cheek.
Do you love me?: presented shut.
I am sorry: drawing across the eyes.
I wish to speak to you: toucing tip with finger.
Yes: letting it rest of right cheek.
No: letting it rest on left cheek.
You are cruel: open and shut.
We will be friends: dropping it.
I am married: fanning slowly.
I am engaged: fanning quickly.
Kiss me: with handle to lips.
Wait for me: open wide.
Come and talk to me: carring in left hand, open.
Don't forget me: placed behind head.
Good-bye: with little finder extended.
Task:
Think about what you have learnt in the video and the movements described in 'The language of the fan'
Using a fan, or another prop - communicate at least 3 different messages.
You can either perform these for a group, record a short video, or take photos of these fan gestures.
Example fan messages:
fan towards right shoulder - 'I hate you'
lightly touch closed fan to one's right eye - 'When shall I see you?'
to offer an open fan towards someone - 'You please me very much'.
Task: Identifying Restoran conventions
Task: Identifying Restoran conventions
Watch the video 'The School for Scandal' and then complete the task.
The School for Scandal - Stage Play DVD - Clip 2
Duration: 01:55Task:
In a group note down 3 conventions of Restoration used in the video 'The School for Scandal'.
In this same group using conventions of Restoration theatre take an everyday event from school and turn it into a restoration-style scene.
You could use any of the following examples, or create your own scenario:
waiting in the canteen line
jostling for prime position in the playground at lunch time
trying to impress a new student
handing in homework.
Perform your scene for the class, or record your scene.
Developing critical writing skills
Developing critical writing skills
Now that you’ve watched ‘The Emperor's New Clothes’ and completed the activities it's time to reflect on your learning and apply a critical review.
Task: Writing a review
Watch the main performance again and make notes on the elements of production, acting and style.
List 3 strengths and 1 weakness of the performance
Write your own review of the performance, making reference to these elements of production. You should include at least 5 evaluative words. You should aim to write between 300 to 500 words.
To understand more about this format you might like to read an example of a theatrical review.
Take a bow!
You have completed this Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Class.
Further resources
Further resources
You might like to explore our other Creative classes inspired by the works of NSW Public Schools Drama Ensembles 2021.
Third-party content attributions
Third-party content attributions
Year 10 drama ensemble rehearsal images 1-4, photographer: Anna Warr.
Duvelleroy, ‘The Language of the Fan’ 1827. ‘Objects of Vertu’, Southbys.
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