Litmus Productions Michael Mangan and Anne Frawley-Mangan to purchase these resources.

Michael also works in Liturgy Education for Liturgy Brisbane.

Michael has degrees in education and an MTh in liturgical studies. As a composer and educator, he is well known as the director of Litmus, publisher of liturgical and RE music with special appeal to children. (07) 3324 3322 / manganm@liturgybrisbane.net.au

DRAMA GENRE DESCRIPTIONS

The role of the Proclaimer is crucial in any proclamation of scripture. In these dramatic versions it is vital that the words of the evangelist, Jesus and the other characters are delivered with clarity, enthusiasm and emotion. All techniques associated with good speech should be employed.

CHORUS PLAY A proclaimer tells a story and the chorus comments on key parts by using repetition, questions, exclamations, etc. accompanied by movement and/or actions. The role of the chorus is to help connect the audience to the story and to ask questions that they might have. The chorus may include a whole class of children and they might be situated near the proclaimer, in the body of the worship space as one group or they may be scattered throughout. If used in liturgy, it would be preferable for the chorus to know their part 'by heart' so that no script is necessary. The chorus should present their lines with lots of energy!

HEIGHTENED TEXT Key words or phrases are chosen from the original text and repeated to emphasize them. When presented , these texts are further heightened by their very enthusiastic and expressive delivery. Each time the text is repeated, a different vocal and physical expression is employed. Elements of clowning or physical theatre may be utilized. You might like to use drama blocks to add a variety of height levels as well. Each letter in the script indicates a different voice. You may prefer to cast the same person as 'A' etc for the entire script, or have a different person be 'A' each time so that a new person is responsible for learning the first line each time.

ECHO DRAMA A narrator leads the telling of the story by proclaiming the words at the same time as miming a corresponding action. The rest of the group echoes back the words and the action. Those who echo back should be positioned in one group to heighten the effect. Use lots of energy and expression to enhance the proclamation!

TODAY'S TELLING The original text is interspersed with contemporary reflections, comments, challenges or scenes. The 'Today's Teller' will address questions such as, 'What does this text say to me today? How do I fit into this story? In what ways is this message still relevant today?' The telling has a more conversational tone and therefore should be presented in as na tura l a way as possible.

FLASHBACK One or more characters from the story recall their memories of events. These reflections are interspersed in the proclamation and serve to provide some personal insights which might assist in breaking open the scripture . It is not necessary for these characters to wear costumes. The delivery of the Flashbacks should be as natural as possible while conveying the personality of the character.

4 Steps to Recontextualisation

1. Listen (to the text [written, spoken or visual] in a number of different ways)

2. Dialogue (with the biblical tradition; with the post-biblical tradition; with the current context)

3. Perform (how is the text speaking to me [or us] today?

4. Evaluate (does it respect the text?; does it respect the context?; does it allow for the mutual interruption of text and context? Does it lead to transformation?)

Source: Robyn Horner & Teresa Brown, Recontextualisation in Theory and practice (forthcoming, 2022)