Henrik Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler premiered in 1891 to negative reviews--the critics found Hedda's controversial character to be a vicious monster. Her character is known today as the female "Hamlet" in theater circles and is one of the most dramatic roles in contemporary and modern theater. Hedda is often portrayed as a feminist heroine fighting a rigid, conservative society, although she is also seen as a villain.
As you watch the film today, please complete the handout notes and turn in at the end of class.
HOMEWORK: Begin working on a musical, social drama (like Hedda Gabler), or an absurdist play in the style of Samuel Becket. Watch at least one of Beckett's plays and respond to his work on the forum (see forum for details).
And now for something completely different...
Samuel Beckett: (Beckett will separate the true playwrights from those who just pretend to be talented or intelligent)
Perhaps one of the strangest plays you are likely to see (there are several, actually--see below) is Samuel Beckett's End Game.
The story involves Hamm, a blind old invalid unable to stand, and his servant Clov, who cannot sit down. They live by the sea in a tiny house. The dialogue suggests that there is nothing left outside—no sea, no sun, no clouds. The two mutually dependent characters have been fighting for years and continue to do so as the play progresses. Clov always wants to leave but never seems to be able (similar to the characters in Waiting for Godot). Also present on stage are Hamm's legless parents Nagg and Nell, who live in trash cans upstage who also bicker continuously or talk inanely.
"The English title is taken from the last part of a chess game, when there are very few pieces left. Beckett himself was known to be an avid chess player; the struggle of Hamm to accept the end can be compared to the refusal of novice players to admit defeat, whereas experts normally resign after a serious blunder or setback."
Endgame lacks action, in Beckett's typical absurdist style. Critics have compared this play with Shakespeare's Hamlet (the protagonist Hamm, for example, is thought to be a shortened version of the name).
The implication in the play is that the characters live in an unchanging, static state. Each day contains the actions and reactions of the day before, until each event takes on an almost ritualistic quality. It is made clear, through the text, that the characters have a past (most notably through Nagg and Nell who conjure up memories of tandem rides in the Ardennes). However, there is no indication that they may have a future. Even the death of Nell, which occurs towards the end of the play, is greeted with a lack of surprise." The play suggests the futility of life, and the random boredom, argument for argument sake, and the waste of human effort.
This scene occurs just after Clov has his opening soliloquy, then is joined by Hamm, who establishes the master/servant relationship between the two characters. Nell and Nagg will appear half-way through the scene to complete the company.
Here's the continuation of the scene. If you like what you're seeing, feel free to watch the rest of the show. Check the sidebar on Youtube to see the continuing scenes or you can view this complete version with actor Michael Gambon (better known as Dumbledore).
Another very strange play is Happy Days by Samuel Beckett. The characters are Winnie and her husband Willie. The play is essentially a monologue. The theme is domestic life. See the handout script to read along with the actor.
And another very strange play is the play Play. This one with actor Alan Rickman. Similarities to the two previous plays are obvious, I think.
And finally Beckett's masterpiece: Waiting For Godot in its entirety. Enjoy!
NOTE: When we return from break, we will be workshopping and preparing our plays for the playwrights' festival, the Geva 10-Minute play festival, and working with the junior drama majors. Please choose one of your scripts: the monologue play, either 10-minute play, the adaptation, the one-act play, etc. to workshop.
As you watch the film today, please complete the handout notes and turn in at the end of class.
HOMEWORK: Begin working on a musical, social drama (like Hedda Gabler), or an absurdist play in the style of Samuel Becket. Watch at least one of Beckett's plays and respond to his work on the forum (see forum for details).
And now for something completely different...
Samuel Beckett: (Beckett will separate the true playwrights from those who just pretend to be talented or intelligent)
Perhaps one of the strangest plays you are likely to see (there are several, actually--see below) is Samuel Beckett's End Game.
The story involves Hamm, a blind old invalid unable to stand, and his servant Clov, who cannot sit down. They live by the sea in a tiny house. The dialogue suggests that there is nothing left outside—no sea, no sun, no clouds. The two mutually dependent characters have been fighting for years and continue to do so as the play progresses. Clov always wants to leave but never seems to be able (similar to the characters in Waiting for Godot). Also present on stage are Hamm's legless parents Nagg and Nell, who live in trash cans upstage who also bicker continuously or talk inanely.
"The English title is taken from the last part of a chess game, when there are very few pieces left. Beckett himself was known to be an avid chess player; the struggle of Hamm to accept the end can be compared to the refusal of novice players to admit defeat, whereas experts normally resign after a serious blunder or setback."
Endgame lacks action, in Beckett's typical absurdist style. Critics have compared this play with Shakespeare's Hamlet (the protagonist Hamm, for example, is thought to be a shortened version of the name).
The implication in the play is that the characters live in an unchanging, static state. Each day contains the actions and reactions of the day before, until each event takes on an almost ritualistic quality. It is made clear, through the text, that the characters have a past (most notably through Nagg and Nell who conjure up memories of tandem rides in the Ardennes). However, there is no indication that they may have a future. Even the death of Nell, which occurs towards the end of the play, is greeted with a lack of surprise." The play suggests the futility of life, and the random boredom, argument for argument sake, and the waste of human effort.
This scene occurs just after Clov has his opening soliloquy, then is joined by Hamm, who establishes the master/servant relationship between the two characters. Nell and Nagg will appear half-way through the scene to complete the company.
Here's the continuation of the scene. If you like what you're seeing, feel free to watch the rest of the show. Check the sidebar on Youtube to see the continuing scenes or you can view this complete version with actor Michael Gambon (better known as Dumbledore).
Another very strange play is Happy Days by Samuel Beckett. The characters are Winnie and her husband Willie. The play is essentially a monologue. The theme is domestic life. See the handout script to read along with the actor.
And another very strange play is the play Play. This one with actor Alan Rickman. Similarities to the two previous plays are obvious, I think.
And finally Beckett's masterpiece: Waiting For Godot in its entirety. Enjoy!
NOTE: When we return from break, we will be workshopping and preparing our plays for the playwrights' festival, the Geva 10-Minute play festival, and working with the junior drama majors. Please choose one of your scripts: the monologue play, either 10-minute play, the adaptation, the one-act play, etc. to workshop.
