大象传媒

Setting and physicalising the environment

The environment of a scene can be experimented with through , eg creating objects in the scene using the actors鈥 bodies. It is important to use and clearly and to hold poses with precision and stillness. Within this, different , spacing and can be used. Inanimate objects can be given a 鈥榩ersonality鈥 and the idea of objects speaking could be experimented with.

Five performers are in a line on stage in a physical theatre performance - four grasp each others waists and the fifth pulls them forward by the hand.
Image caption,
An example of physical theatre, using levels and movement in Mirror, State Theater of Drama and Comedy

There may be a way to 鈥榮et the environment鈥 (known as ) as part of the opening of the devised piece. The performance area begins empty and a way of bringing in small set pieces or can be . Actors can cross over each other or pass objects to each other within the space. Again, levels, spacing and interaction can add further interest. Mise-en-sc猫ne may not always be suitable, however. For example, using a lot of set pieces and props can make the piece difficult to rehearse and lead to slow scene transitions, which could disengage the audience.