atyp spur of the moment resource package
DESCRIPTION
Go behind the scenes of atyp's production: Spur of the Moment. Written by Anya Reiss, Directed by Fraser Corfield.TRANSCRIPT
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by Anya Reiss Directed by Fraser Corfield
australian theatre for young people presents
This Resource Package has been designed as a classroom tool to assist with the
preparation, viewing, evaluation and analysis of the Australian Theatre for Young
People’s (atyp) production of Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss.
The notes and activities have been divided into three components:
Before you see Spur of the Moment
Behind the Scenes Spur of the Moment
After you see Spur of the Moment
They are designed for students from Years 11-12; however some of the activities could
be adapted for younger year groups.
We hope you find these activities useful and that they enhance your creative arts
experiences in the classroom.
Adèle Jeffreys and Heather Clark
Education Managers
Australian Theatre for Young People
atyp Education brings a new world of Drama
experience to your students. Melding the buzz of new
technology, hands-on creative arts experiences and
rigorous learning – we create activities to delight
students of all ages.
Our programs are about tailoring creative solutions for
teachers. Rather than one-size-fits-all workshops and
residencies, we make sure each experience meets your
specific needs. Our specialist Arts educators, Heather
and Adèle, will work with you to create an experience
that’s perfect for your class. So whether you bring your
class to us at the Wharf or we bring Sydney’s top artists
to you – let atyp Education be the first place you turn to
for inspiration and support in drama education.
table of contents
before you see Spur of the Moment
the title
writing
the performance:
Behind the scenes of Spur of the Moment
the creative team & cast
the design presentation
the design process: set
the design Process: LX design and cues
Spur of the Moment: on stage
after you see Spur of the Moment:
Written Response
initial reaction
the elements of drama
writing a review
Practical Response
ethics: conscience alley
acknowledgements
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before you see
Spur of the Moment
the title: Spur of the Moment
brainstorm
In the space below write the first 10 words that pop into your head
practical task
In groups of 4, pick a word from your lists as the starting point for an improvisation.
Do not think about it too much, just go with it.
extension
Think about the things you have done in your life that were just a spur of the
moment thing. How did they make you feel? Act? What were the
consequences?
Discuss your favourite situation with your group.
Develop into a scene and present to the class.
discussion
What do you think will happen “spur of the moment”
in the play?
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writing
Writer Anya Reiss was 17 when she wrote Spur of the Moment. She wanted to convey
the tragic circumstance of two people who could not be together, much like
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
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brainstorm
In the space below write other situations where two people could not be together:
Use this brainstorm as the starting point for a
piece of free association writing. Do not
think about the plot, words or characters,
just write and see what comes out!
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behind the scenes
Spur of the Moment
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the design presentation Before a production gets into full swing here at atyp we have a design presentation for
cast, creative and staff.
Designers present to the team in a variety of ways, some make models and present
hand-drawn sketches, others present 3D rendered designs.
Our designer Adrienn is
using a 3D virtual model to
present the plans for the
set. He then presents hand
sketched drawings for the
costume designs.
How do you
like to
design?
challenge
Have a think about how
you like to present your
creative ideas to others.
Are you a drawer or
sketcher? Do you like to
get objects, fabrics and
tactile things to present
your ideas? Do you prefer
digital designs?
Using your individual
project, challenge
yourself to present in a
variety of ways.
Present your ideas to the
class using more than one
method of design.
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the design process: set The set design was done digitally for Spur of the Moment. This still involved the traditional
design process of sketching initial ideas, developing into 3D plans and full colour,
rendered designs.
the design process:
LX design and cues
Spur of the Moment on stage:
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after you see Spur of the Moment
written responses
initial reaction What was your initial reaction to the performance? What sticks out in your mind?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Would you recommend the reading to a friend? Why / why not?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
elements of drama Comment on how the reading used the elements of drama:
Tension: Where were the moments of tension in the play?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Which moment held the most tension for you? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
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Recreate the tension in the moment as a tableau.
Focus: How did the director draw the audience's focus to the action in each
scene?________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Identify a moment that was really successful.____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Space: How did the actors use the stage space?_______________________________
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What was the most interesting aspect of the use of space? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________________
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Symbol
Can you identify any symbols/motifs used in the production?
______________________________________________________________________________
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What were the most successful symbols used?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Mood / Atmosphere
Describe the mood of the piece at the beginning, middle and end of the play.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Where were the high points in the performance?
______________________________________________________________________________
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How did you feel at the end of the performance? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
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What devices were used to create mood throughout the performance?
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Draw a mood map that shows the emotional journey of Delilah:
Why do you think Reiss chose to end the play like this?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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A review is an important part of theatre criticism. It gives an account of the production with the
writer's opinion of the success of the performance.
Become an atyp theatre critic! Use the scaffold below to write a review of Spur of the Moment.
Send it to [email protected] we'll publish well written reviews on our website.
How to write a review:
Remember to:
paint an accurate picture of the production for someone who has not been there
give a personal opinion about the success of the performance
You may wish to approach your review writing by following guidelines:
State the details of the production, where, when, by who.
A synopsis of the plot (without giving away the ending!!!).
Background of the play, importance of the production (is it the first production of the play?
Has it been performed many times before?).
Information about the style, genre of the piece.
Analysis of the mood and atmosphere created by the cast/designers.
Analysis of the choices of the director.
Analysis of the performances of the actors.
Analysis of set, costume, lighting and design aspects and how these relate to the themes of
the play.
Your personal opinion supported by examples to justify your opinion.
Recommendation and / or overall rating.
Remember make it concise and clear.
Try to write your review in 300 words
We look forward to receiving your reviews!
Keep reading for more reviews of Spur of the Moment
after you see Spur of the Moment
writing a review
Review: SPUR OF THE MOMENT
The Australian Theatre for Young People’s (ATYP) enter-
prising Artistic Director Fraser Corfield has chosen well in
presenting, and in this case directing, British playwright
Anya Reiss’s debut play SPUR OF THE MOMENT, writ-
ten when she was just seventeen years old. The play premi-
ered at London’s Royal Court in 2010, directed by Jeremy
Herrin, and is now having its Australian premiere season.
Reiss, brought out by ATYP, was in the audience for open-
ing night.
The talented young playwright throws in plenty of fuel to
get her play firing. We are taken into the world of a strug-
gling middle class family at a very tense time. Wife Vicky
has just found out that her husband Nick has been having an
affair with her work boss and is on the war path.
The Evans family are having trouble meeting their mortgage
repayments. For this reason they have installed a lodger in
the house, 21 year old University student Daniel. Their pre-
cocious daughter Delilah is about to turn thirteen, and is a
handful. Even more so, she is showing signs that she
quite fancies Daniel….
Corfield’s production is strong all round. Adrienn Lord’s
set is cleverly set up with its open plan view. We- the audi-
ence-see into the main rooms in the family home, all well
detailed,- the kitchen, the living room and Daniel and Deli-
lah’s bedrooms. Whilst the main action takes place in one
room, we get to see what other characters are doing- in their
own time, so to speak…
The show features an impressive cast who each inhabit their
characters well.
The talented young ATYP trained actors are aided by hav-
ing two very experienced actors in the senior roles, includ-
ing Felix Williamson, himself ATYP trained. as father Nick.
Williamson delivers a relaxed, confident performance as the
straightlaced, awkward, goofy, Nick. Zoe Carides plays his
fraught, highly strung, hyper wife, Vicki.
Holly Fraser gives a strong performance in the main role as
their precocious daughter Delilah, who is attempting to
jump the transition from childhood to womanhood. Holly’s
scenes with Joshua Brennan, impressive as lodger Daniel,
represent some of the play’s highlights, at times very funny
and at other times tender and sad.
Lucy Coleman impresses as Daniel’s girlfriend, Leonie,
who flies in to stay with Daniel for a while, and is like the
meat in the sandwich, caught up in the crossfire between
Holly and Daniel.
Simone Cheuanghane as Emma G, Madeleine Clunies-Ross
as Naomi and Antonio Lewin as Emma M are great fun as
Holly’s high spirited, zany girlfriends.
Even if you just go to see this show on the spur of the
moment, you won’t be disappointed. Recommended,
Anya Reiss’s debut play opened at the ATYP Studio 1,
Pier 4/5, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay on Friday August 30
and is playing until Saturday September 14, 2013.
http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/2013/09/spur-of-
Posted by David Kary on Sep 2, 2013 in Reviews, Theatre |
The turbulent world of adolesence-
Holly Fraser plays the main character, Delilah
Pin-sharp drama lifts lid on family in crisis Posted on September 2, 2013 - 5:15PM
By Jason Blake
Spur of the Moment
Australian Theatre for Young People, August 31
Until September 14
Londoner Anya Reiss was just 17 when she wrote this shrewd
and bitingly funny play. Experienced playwrights three times her
age would struggle to do better.
Deftly veering between sitcom drollery and high-stakes drama,
her capture of the passive-aggressive twists and turns of adult
bickering in Spur of the Moment is as pin-sharp as her voicing
of the 12-year-old girl at its centre, Delilah, the only child of a
crumbling marriage.
The veneer of suburban comfort is quickly stripped away. Dad,
we learn, is jobless, sacked in the wake of an affair with his
boss, and mum is making him suffer for it.
They chip at each other constantly and with so little love being
demonstrated in the house, Delilah is drawn to 21-year-old
Daniel, a student who rents the room across the landing from
her own.
Friendly banter and horseplay excites Delilah's curiosity, which
flares into passion when she steals a kiss from Daniel while
mum and dad attempt to watch The Dark Knight. Infatuation
turns to love, then hurt, then towards tragedy in the making - all
under the noses of parents oblivious to everything save their
own misery.
Staged on a meticulously detailed split-level set designed by
Adrienn Lord, Fraser Corfield's production, which retains the
play's English accent, is crisp and very well acted. Zoe Carides
and Felix Williamson are excruciating and hilarious as martyred
mum and flummoxed dad exchange their sotto voce barbs.
Holly Fraser conveys Delilah's ardour and spite very capably,
and Joshua Brennan is convincingly anguished as Daniel, an
attractive yet unstable character too easily tempted into a
relationship he knows will have devastating consequences.
The final scene doesn't quite gel and softens the play's impact
somewhat, but this is a very good production and an excellent
showcase for the ATYP. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/pinsharp-drama-lifts-lid-on-family-in-crisis-20130902-2t0t0.html#ixzz2dmftByG6
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after you see Spur of the Moment
practical response
ethics: conscience alley Spur of the Moment presents an ethical dilemma. Delilah and Daniel cannot be
together. Delilah says that she loves him. What do you think is going through
Delilah's mind?
practical task
Create a conscience alley for Delilah. Cast one person as Delilah.
The rest of the group stand in 2 lines facing each other with a corridor of space
between each side.
Left Hand Side: the part of Delilah that loves Daniel,
Right Hand Side: the part of Delilah that knows they cannot be together.
Each person must think of a line that represents the point of view of the character.
No lines can be repeated. Do not discuss what each person will say, try to
develop this in the “spur of the moment”.
As Delilah walks down the ally the 2 sides of her conscience throw the lines
towards her (one from the left then one from the right). She reacts physically to
what is being said.
reflection
Recreate the strongest arguments for and against into 2 tableaus. Why were
you drawn to this? Discuss the quandary Delilah is in. Which side did you want to
be true? Why? Consider the moment that Leonie starts sticking up for Delilah.
How does this change things?
extension
Create a conscience ally for Daniel. Is
the decision to do the “right thing”
easier or harder to make from Daniel’s
perspective?.
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acknowledgements
A big thank you to all of the cast, crew and creatives from atyp who assisted
with the production of Spur of the Moment and the accompanying resource.
For more behind the scenes info visit our website www.atyp.com.au/education
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