Woyzeck is a stage play written by Georg Büchner. He left the work incomplete at his death, but it has been variously and posthumously finished by a variety of authors, editors and translators. Woyzeck has become one of the most performed and influential plays in the German theatre repertory. Büchner probably began writing the play between June and September 1836. It remained in a fragmentary … Continue reading Woyzeck: Brief Synopsis and Background
There is a tremendous amount of religious imagery in the play, which I think is often overlooked by some. Specifically, Buchner uses the figures of Christ, the Virgin Mary to underscore his points about human nature and suffering. After all, Woyzeck is born on the day of the Feast of the Annunciation, which celebrates Christ’s conception. Also, he is the same age Christ was supposed to be … Continue reading Religious Imagery in Woyzeck
I’m sure I’m not the only teacher in the world who gets frustrated when students don’t learn their lines. It is impossible to do anything more than block scenes with students who have open books in their hands. They can’t move their hands or arms, their point of focus is in the book rather than the person on stage and they stay static in the … Continue reading Learning Lines
Directing notes from Proof. I’ve been working with my sixth form students today on their Unit 2 Section B group performances. Although it’s the Easter holidays it is a fantastic opportunity to spend some time with the students without the day-to-day politics of school effecting things and getting in the way. There is something lovely, relaxed and very productive about working during the holidays. One … Continue reading The importance of establishing a scene
Jack Dempsey was a professional boxer in the 1920’s who was an icon in his era for his hard punches, good looks and popularity. He held the world heavyweight championship from 1919 to 1926. July, who mentions Jack Dempsey is 13 at the time of the play in 1933, so may well remember seeing or knowing of Jack Dempsey before she went into the orphanage. … Continue reading Historical figures mentioned in the musical Annie
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding workd war 2.The depression originated in the U.S., after the fall in stock prices that began around September 4, 1929, and became worldwide news with the stock market crash of October 29th. The picture is called The Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange and shows a mother and her children during the great … Continue reading 5 ways the musical Annie deals with The Great Depression
BURT'S DRAMA 