Nicola Waite Dramatic Arts October 2021
LRRH Notes
Structure and Plotline
• Non-linear, fragmented (POMO, epic), episodic
(poor, workshop, epic), fractured with multiple
story-webs (mini-truths)
• Sense of a cyclical structure – we all know LRRH story, and how it ends, but there
is a sense of cyclicality because there is no end, only the continued action of ruin
and destruction
• Supermarket of style = POMO
• Open-ended, allowing audience to become the meaning-maker. This can be
seen in absurdism and POMO alike.
Genre and Style
Genre of LRRH cannot be categorized as POMO denies any specification.
Style:
Theatrical Form:
• Non-racial casting = roles are not ‘race’ specific and could in fact be cast
exactly to counter racial expectations of the audience.
• Multiple styles, need for it to be portable and struck in a short period = costumes
were minimalist, with the emphasis on the acting.
Greek Theatre:
• Play opening, with a Greek-type Chorus. Functions of a chorus: setting scene,
introducing characters, giving characters advice, acting as a character, raising
issues to a universal level, providing color, movement and spectacle, being the
voice of the playwright, acting as an ideal spectator.
• Set the scene of a forest full of trees and ecology.
Children’s Theatre:
• Play uses a fable (LRRH) as its structure. This has the intent of teaching young
children lessons – in this case, lessons about sustainability and the future of our
world if we don’t address these current issues.
• Appeals to children because of the animal characters and the simplicity.
Environmental Theatre:
• Creates awareness of environmental issues
, Nicola Waite Dramatic Arts October 2021
• Educates audiences on topical environmental issues and provides guidelines on
how to look after our world.
• LRRH creates awareness to these issues but doesn’t necessarily provide answers
• Interacts with the audience
Theatre as social commentary:
• The dialectical nature of theatre helps to address both sides of an issue rather
than avoiding any conflict.
• Theatre is a reflection of who we are, where we come from, and where we are
going.
• Playwrights can both critique and understand current events in a way where the
news cannot
• Playwrights arouse the consciousness of the audience by informing them, posing
questions, offering criticisms and reminding us of our responsibilities.
• LRRH comments on a variety of issues pertaining to the SDGs and the current
situation in the world. Highlighting:
o Development such as deforestation (Gavin Hood has to go and look for
new work due to deforestation)
o Unemployment (Gavin has to search in the city)
o Poverty (sea of poverty)
o Inequality (Redi’s father and grandmother don’t see the value in
educating girls)
o Corruption (court scene, where seemingly generous and good people
have made their money through questionable means)
o Climate change (referred to by the gang when they discuss the
hurricanes, floods and droughts)
Courtroom Drama:
• Always proposes a moral dilemma to the audience
• LRRH – case is heard about the rape and desecration of Mother Earth. As the jury
is picked, it becomes obvious that many of the individuals are not as morally
upright as they would seem. Mr Generous Giver donates to various charities
including Rape Crisis – however we learn that he has made his money by mining
in the Democratic of the Congo and supports politicians who advocate for fossil
fuels. The social justice activist, Ms Hoppa Plane, does good work for the poor, but
travels to and from conferences via airplane, adding to carbon emissions. The
judge (The Honorable Judge Wendy Empathy) dismisses the case when she
discovers the plaintiff is Mother Earth because it doesn’t align neatly with her own
agenda, which is that of the #metoo movement.
• Van Graan comments on the fact that there are many contradictions and
discrepancies in their morality.
Satire
• Often ridicules an individual/group/institution.
