Introduction, language and set design
Introduction
Plays should not be read or understood like novels. While some elements of plot and character are similar, the language and structure of plays are altered to suit the performance medium. Directorial, staging and acting elements are fundamental when considering the effectiveness of any given drama text.
Language
The major difference between plays and novels, as written texts, is language. A play is primarily dialogue. Consider the difference between a novel and a play, where, in a novel, descriptions often influence the way in which dialogue is imagined. For example:
Particular moods can be created through the use of physical description.
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Example One The night was dark, the street light flickered weakly. From the pale light reflected on the dilapidated palings, Julie spied a shadow lurking in the alleyway. Her voice trembled nervously as she spoke to the night, 'Hello? Who's there?' |
Emotional descriptions
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Example Two The night was dark, Julie felt increasingly vulnerable because she couldn't gauge her surroundings. A flickering street light added to her sense of disorientation. Her heart jumped as she saw a shadow lurking in the alleyway. Despite the almost painful pangs of fear and distress that she felt in her stomach, she managed to very meekly call out. Her voice trembled nervously as she spoke into the night, 'Hello? Who's there?' |
The majority of plays, on the other hand, only use brief directions for actors.
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Example Three mysterious shadow flickers stage right. JULIE: (nervously) Hello? Who's there? |
The impact that this has on the language that is used by playwrights is considerable. The best way to imagine this is a playwright needs to write the dialogue for the stage. This means that dialogue needs to suit the characters perfectly so the audience can be made aware of the type of character that they are supposed to be. Consider:
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Example Four What is the most appropriate dialogue for a 'proper' seventy-year-old gentleman asking for the time? MAN: 'Sup dawg? Wassup wida time y'all? MAN: Oh - pardon me? Could you inform me of the hour? |
This is clearly an easy question to answer. However, the point is, you can notice how a playwright has written a character's dialogue and the impact that this might have on the audience's perception of the character.
Of course, the elements of imagery in setting and emotional descriptions are not lost in a play, as they are reproduced on stage through techniques such as set, costumes, props, lighting, sound, choreography and acting.
Set
Much like an orientation or description of a setting in a novel, the basic set for a play will have a major influence on setting the tone or mood of the play. This is similar to mise en scene in film, yet is more static. Set construction ranges from the minimal to elaborately detailed reproductions of streetscapes or the inside of rooms or houses. The examples to the right will serve to illustrate how mood or style is influenced by set construction.
You should be aware that the process of set construction involves a lot of input from different people behind the scenes of a play. To understand this, imagine if your school put on a production. To create your set your school would need a variety of people skilled in various activities. Some basic skills required include carpenters to fit together large pieces of the set and artists to paint these sets.
In addition to these basic ideas about set design, there are some standard styles in which sets are designed. Consider the examples to the right of some common styles of set design.
