I remember when I was doing my GCSEs there weren't a whole lot of resources especially for GCSE Drama exam practice. So I compiled the Live Theatre essays that I wrote to achieve a Grade 9 in AQA GCSE Drama in 2022, saving you the trouble of having to look for good model answers, and allowing you t...
LOVESONG
Describe how one or more of the actors in a particular scene or section used their vocal and
physical acting skills to create convincing characters. Analyse and evaluate how
successful they were in communicating their character to the audience. You should make
references to:
● The use of voice
● Physical skills
● The actors’ use of space [32/32]
Recently, I saw the Frantic Assembly production of “Lovesong” featuring Sam Cox as Older Billy, Siam Phillips as
older Maggie, Edward Bennet as Younger Billy and Leanne Rowe as Younger Maggie and co-directed by Steven
Hoggett and Scott Graham. The play explores the life of an elderly couple, Billie and Maggie, who we also meet
as a young newly married couple. At times the couples’ stories and dimensions overlap as the older characters
reflect upon their past lives and former hopes and dreams. Bennet and Rowe both used an extensive range of
vocal and physical skills to present their emotions clearly in scene 9, thus creating convincing characters.
When Margaret enters the house she removes her shoes and finds William laying down the kitchen tablecloth
and preparing dinner. She is immediately bombarded by questions from Wiliam which she answers promptly and
readily as if she has rehearsed the answers. This suggests to the audience that Margaret may not be telling her
husband the entire truth which causes them to doubt her story, causing them to become suspicious. As she
comes closer to William, she places her hands deeply into her pocket and observes him as he busily and
carefully prepares the table. When he mentions how she didn’t pick up when he called her room, she hurriedly
replies in a high pitch, “They never said. Reception never said.” Her use of emphasis on “they” and “reception”
helps detach the blame from herself, making her appear innocent. However, her closed body language says
otherwise as the gesture of putting her hands into her pockets demonstrates to the audience that she is hiding
something. From her rigid posture we can see that this secret is such that she must do everything she can to
guard it and prevent her husband from ever finding out. Margaret smiles before commenting that “something
smells good” as she tries to lighten the tense mood by changing the subject and thus trying to avoid a
catastrophe. She slightly raises her voice when saying “You cooked” and continues to smile as she finds this
sudden impulse amusing, unlike William who carries on with his preparations unperturbed. When Margaret sees
this she tries again to make her point through her blatant honesty when she silently regards him before saying,
“You never cook.” This demonstrates to the audience that today is not an ordinary day and while William’s kind
and thoughtful gesture may suggest that the couple will spend the rest of the day pleasantly, William’s tense body
language and lack of eye contact suggests otherwise. In this way, the couple’s contrasting attitudes to the dinner
presents a jarring effect that creates increasing tensions. Margaret’s lack of openness combined with her forced
merriment are effectively shown through her body language and vocal skills which create a convincing character.
Edward Bennet, who was playing the role of William, was also able to communicate his emotions effectively and
create a convincing character throughout scene 9. When Margaret attempted to cheerfully converse with William
he either didn’t reply or gave short, snappy responses. When Margaret was on her way to leave and get
changed, William straightens up and in a clear and defiant tone states, “I did call”, causing Margaret to stop in her
tracks and turn around to face William’s glaring and unblinking gaze. William repeats this statement when he
says “I did call reception,” in order to make his point loud and clear to prevent Margaret from running away.
Through the change in his manner and tone when addressing Margaret, William demonstrates to the audience
the seriousness of the situation through the severity with which he regards Margaret, highlighting his anger at her
for not telling him the truth. William sees this as a breach of their relationship, which is clearly shone through his
serious tone and facial expressions. Margaret tries to briefly smile it off and says.”Weird” but as the silence drags
on even further, she finds it difficult to maintain eye-contact and shifts her eyes to look down which embodies to
the audience her clear sense of guilt. As she finds it hard to speak, she fidgets and when she tries to address
William he interrupts her quickly by saying, “I don't want to know his name.” This shows how he already knew
that she had been talking to another man and this shocking revelation makes the audience understand why
William was on edge, making them sympathise with his character. As Margaret tries to defend herself in vain,
William makes the question more specific and asks directly, “Do you love him?” The swift and accusing tone of
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