Acting Styles- Physical Theatre notes

Physical Theatre

At its simplest, physical theatre is anything that puts empathsis  on movement and using the body to tell the story.

Often abstract in style leading to performers to use very little or no dialogue at all.

DV8

Dv8 are among the main practitioners of physical theatre and focus on the dramatical potential of movement. Dv8 are well know for exploring complicated aspects of relationships and social issues, things that can appear 'cheesy' in dialogue.

Frantic Assembly

Frantic assembly are a contrast to Dv8 as they use lots of dialogue to create an obvious play and structure rather than a just a dance.

Stylised Movement

Stylised movement can take a normal standard play for example Macbeth and make it cater to a new audience for people who may not like the extended dialogue of a Shakespeare

Physical theatre can also be used in the way people like Steven Berkoff use like creating the setting with bodies like furniture and ect!

Combining Art Forms

Physical theatre has a focus' on movement as well as creating interesting dialogue. Physical theatre almost breaks the fourth wall like Brecht as it is never majorly realistic and shows the audience that they are in a performance and not real life like Brecht's style.

Commedia

Commedia dell'arte began in Italy in 16th century and is very physical as the characters usually use masks so that facial expressions are hidden from the audience. This requires movement to express emotions and actions.

Techniques:

Mime

Gesture

Status

Proximity

Stance

Harshness and tenderness

Movement

Not moving

Dance work

Motif's

Contact improvisation

Contact improvisation is usually between two people where there is a point of contact and a reaction, example