STEVEN BERKOFF
Seven states of tension.
Berkoff’s work exists at 1 , 2 and 6, 7- it is all about extremes.
Freezes should be held with great tension and with
exaggerated facial expressions
‘Movement is another language’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVPSgGHxIxQ&safe=active
BERKOFF’S THEATRE
The Actor creates the whole environment physically.
All props are mimed or physically embodied by part of the actors
anatomy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX 2sKH3l7eM&safe=active
This should make theatre more of a spectacle
Test the level of physical control by using extremes of pace slow/ fast
“I despise naturalism, a good actor should need no props.”
Berkoff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= 2ZQOEZO1n10
INFLUENCES
Physical Theatre of Jacques Le Coq
Mime
Creating the environment physically
7 states of tension
Heightened Gesture
Brecht’s alienation
Plays seek not to recreate real life, but to revel in the spectacle of
theatre
At times plays have been episodic and had a political message (Sink The
Belgrano)
The notion of Gestus and exaggerated characters/ stereotypes
Greek Theatre
Use of a chorus
Long verse speeches
Directly addressing an audience
SO TO PLAY A BERKOFF CHARACTER
You should have hyperbolic physicality (clear Gestusheightened gesture) play up the stereotype.
Play with the rhythm and tempo of the verse, enjoy the flow of
the language
Deliver dialogue straight out to the audience- not to the other
actor
Create the environment around you physically using mime and
sound effects
Play the scene with great tension in your body.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2ePpFxRgDQ&list=FL4_W_
gCizNgZauB_gFEZzqg
MAJOR BERKOFF PLAYS
‘Newer Berkoff’* offensive, shocking, character driven plays
East
West
Greek
Kvetch
Decadence
‘Older Berkoff’ dark, chorus driven plays
The Trial
Metamorphosis
* I say ‘newer’ but these plays came out between 1975 and 1986,
so they are all about 30 years old! – after this he tended to do 1
man shows in the 90s (Dog, Tell Tale Heart, Shakespeare’s Villains)
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