This set of notes cover the play, The Island written by Athol Fugard. They include pictures and are in-depth notes. These will be a sufficient source to study this play and prepare for your final Dramatic Arts Theory Exam.
Note: These notes are recommended for IEB students - as some information m...
Differs from Sartre and Beckett in terms of existentialism, he
believes in heroic pessimism
Performance Style: Realism, Workshop (Protest),
Absurdism/existential (absurd coz of cyclical nature of
writing, existential because of the futility of the labour, the
fact that they get nowhere and do nothing).
Poor theatre – the holy actor, mime is used, physical,
understanding of character being more important. Hard to
pick one specific style.
Anything to do with workshop/poor theatre where they create their own sounds is called
idiophone. Any sound made by the actor.
Set Style:
Absurdist (coming out of beach scene) because it is
a barren wasteland.
Poor theatre/workshopped – props such as the
blanket are representational (bed). Nails for the
necklace are representational. Antigone’s tin cans
for boobs. Mop represents Antigone’s hair. Actors
mime the telephone call.
Writing style:
Process of Workshop theatre: illegal system performing during apartheid times
Idea – research (interviews, articles, personal) – Improvisation – rejection and selection
(directorial or collaborative) Island = directorial -Recording (written or filmed)
Genre: South African Theatre, tragedy/drama
Symbols:
• Hodoshe (prison warden)
The multi-media sound of a fly, representing he is on stage with them, yet he’s not.
He (shit-eating fly) is symbolic of oppression, the white government (apartheid NP
party government), therefore the apartheid, as well as the loss of their freedom. Fear,
abuse, torture, unnecessary pain and brutality (Section 29 – detention without trial for
up to 6 months).
Heroic pessimism – moment within, although he is an oppressive presence, they still
manage to ‘stick it to the man’, doing an ‘up-yours’ to the government and to Hodoshe
to his face. They say Hodoshe means The Big Boss. Moment of hope, just like the ANC,
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