STEVEN BERKOFF Seven states of tension Berkoffs work

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=f. VPSg. GHx. Ix. Q&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 2 s. KH 3 l 7 e. M&safe=active This should make theatre more of a spectacle Test the level of physical control by using extremes of paceslow/ fast “I despise naturalism, a good actor should need no props. ” Berkoff http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=2 ZQOEZO 1 n 10

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=a 2 e. Pp. Fx. Rg. DQ&list=FL 4_W_ g. Ciz. Ng. Zau. B_g. FEZzqg

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 90 s (Dog, Tell Tale Heart, Shakespeare’s Villains)