PDF file: Drama - Higher - Lovers - Education Scotland

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50 DIRECTORY OF ACTING PIECES Losers, Extract One Page reference: 54-59 Opening line: ANDY: ‘Well, Hannah.’ Closing line: HANNAH: ‘Shut up, will you.’ Casting: 1 male and 1 female Characters: Andy and Hannah Approximate length: 9 minutes Comments: This is a good comic scene for two able actors. The important thing in this Extract is to convey the diffident, awkward relationship between the middle-aged lovers. There is plenty of scope for comic action with the formality at the start contrasting with the antics on the couch. The secret in playing this scene well is to slightly underplay the comedy at the start. The timing of the lines is crucial. There is a stilted, strained quality to the dialogue to begin with, which gives way to a fast and furious pace when Andy starts to recite the poem. This sequence conveys the couple’s uncertain approach to lovemaking. They are both very uncomfortable in each other’s company. They don’t know how to have a natural conversation. Andy is clumsy and tactless. When Hannah pounces she is making the most of her opportunity as she is desperate for a little love and affection. The audience should find the extract very funny, but they should also feel pity for this couple who have had to resort to duplicity to do something as innocent as kissing. DRAMA
Losers, Extracts Two and Three Page reference: 60-67 Opening line: HANNAH: ‘Look at – the invalid tray!’ Closing line: OTHERS: ‘As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.’ Page reference: 71-75 Opening line: MRS WILSON: I promise you, dear: he’s all right. I know he is. Closing line: HANNAH: ‘He’ll pay for this. By God, he’ll pay for this!’ Casting: 1 male and 3 females Characters: Hannah, Andy, Cissy and Mrs Wilson Approximate length: 12 - 18 minutes DIRECTORY OF ACTING PIECES Comments: If you combine these Extracts you have enough material to assess all four characters. In the first Extract Mrs Wilson’s part falls short of the time requirements. One possible solution to this problem is to have a brief pause and/or a blackout, to denote the passage of time, and then continue with Extract Two. Combining both Extracts gives each actor more opportunities to show a range of acting skills, especially those playing Cissy and Mrs Wilson. Pages 60-67 This is a deceptively straightforward Extract. There is a variety of mood and strong contrasts among the four characters. We see the interplay between the characters and witness the stranglehold that the Church and the community have over Andy and Hannah. To begin with it is Cissy who establishes her authority and domination over Andy. We should cringe at her piousness. The hypocrisy of her character should also be evident throughout. To begin with Andy is flippant towards Cissy and tries to send her up. We see Hannah’s frustration; she is at a low ebb. The futility of Hannah and Andy’s predicament is emphasised in this Extract. Once we are in Mrs Wilson’s bedroom the Extract highlights Mrs Wilson’s domination and clearly shows the control that she exerts over Andy and Hannah. DRAMA 51
Page 1 and 2: INTRODUCTION In 1993 Scottish CCC p
Page 3 and 4: OVERALL DIRECTORIAL INTERPRETATION
Page 45 and 46: DIRECTORY OF ACTING PIECES Mag. The
Page 47 and 48: DIRECTORY OF ACTING PIECES Hannah.
Page 49: Winners, Episode One Page reference

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