John Godber says
"I want to create theatre that connects
with people's lives, not a piece of candy
floss
Plays are a way
of understanding
the world
Teechers
John Godbers fast-moving comedy is set in a High
School. Taking a wry look at our education system, it
tells the story of three students
and their various trials and
tribulations in class and in life.
The play concentrates mainly on
their experiences in drama class
and on the drama teacher, Mr Nixon,
exploring his struggles with pupils
and staff during his time at the
school.
John Godber style
John Godbers style of theatre,
according to The Oxford Encyclopedia
of Theatre and Performance is:
accessible to northern working class
oral cultures, utilizes a small ensemble
who play multiple characters, has physical
gags and mocks the establishment.
So what is John Gobers STYLE?
Every practitioner develops their own style and it would be
unrealistic to expect to find every distinctive element of that style
in every piece of their work.
Five significant fingerprints of this style are:
A structure that makes use of a large number of short episodes,
each of them moving along with considerable rapidity
A reliance on multi-role playing, primarily as a result of working
with a small number of actors
Emphasis on what the actors do, rather than on sets, costumes or
props (this is also a feature of small-company work)
Stereotypically working-class characters (often from the north
of England), generally with humorous traits and/or rough language
Situations that provide a commentary on contemporary society.
Does Godbers style remind
you of anyone ?
Clue:
Theatre practitioner
Not Stanislavski
German
Created Epic
Theatre
got it yet?
John Godbers style was influenced by
the work of Bertolt Brecht
Brecht is often seen in this country as being quite
dry, but in reality he was funny. I like his idea of
Epic Smoke theatre, where theatre was playing to
working class audiences and people would drink and
smoke. We tried to do this at Hull Truck, encourage
people to take their drinks in so they were
comfortable and so it wasnt a bourgeois experience.
Also its about the way he approached the work.
Brecht didnt want a stuffy theatre, and sometimes
English theatre can be very stuffy. Theres often a
gentrification of the process in British theatres.
Non- Naturalistic Drama techniques
Multi-rolling
Direct-address
Breaking the fourth wall
Comedy
Singing
Narrating/choral speaking
Over emphasising/stylised acting
Social and political message
Minimal set / costumes / props
Audiences often clap wood. (The set)
It gets in the way! In Teechers we
just have chairs. John Godber
With only three cast members playing twenty characters there
are a multitude of rapid costume changes that will keep the
audience enthralled and entertained by the slight differences
that create a whole new persona. The minimal props are
brilliantly utilized to create a change of scene and atmosphere.
MULTI-ROLLING
One of Brecht's techniques which helps
remind the audience they are watching a
play and should not be identifying with a
an actor who has become just one
character
Teechers is a subtle comment on the state
versus private education divide but its main
focus is on the intense difficulties facing
teachers and the exuberance of being a
teenager. All these issues are handled in a lighthearted fashion with great hilarity and comedic
wit.
This is a very clever, funny
play that fully demonstrates
the incredible versatility of
the cast.
Off script character
exploration
Each take a role
from the character
sheet and devise
a short scene with
one of the
following titles
Down the Park
Corridors
The Staff Room
To be a Success. . .
I attempt to contribute ideas on how the work can be moved
forward
I attempt to reflect on the work in progress
I sometimes listens to others in the group
I contributes ideas on how the work can be moved forward
I understand how my contribution affects the work
I listen and encourage others in the group
I listen well and reflect fully on the work in progress
I am sensitive to the needs of others in the group and guide them
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
through problems
I use a good range of drama terms when discussing the work in
12
progress
I show a thorough critical awareness of the work in progress and
13
have real vision in terms of how it can be moved forward
I am very clear about my role in the group and understand the
14
strengths and weaknesses of the group as a whole
I use an excellent range of drama terms when discussing the work
15
in progress
The Characters
Working with the
script
In groups of three
explore the extract
from page 6 to page 8
of the play.
Explore different ways
of using nonnaturalistic drama to
present the scene.
To be a Success. . .
I begin to use gesture and movement to communicate my
9 E
character
Occasional use of facial expressions gives some insight into the
10 E
characters emotion at that moment
Gesture and movement is appropriate to my character and their
11 D
situation
Use of space gives some ideas as to the status and feelings of my
12 13 D
character in their situation
Fairly clear voice with an attempt at changing the pitch and tone
14 16 D
to suit the mood
Some expression in the voice communicates the emotion of the
17 18 C
character
Use of facial expressions begin to show a development of the
19 - 21 C
emotions of the character
Gesture and movement is more thoughtful as pace and pause is
22 23 C
considered in order to start building the tension / or comedy
Clear vocal skills show a more confident handling of the role,
24 27 B
allowing the character to be developed
Gesture, movement and facial expressions are sustained so that
28 32 B
the character is clearly communicated to the audience
Very clear vocal skills are sustained, using a variety of pitch, tone
33 37 A
and expression that creates a believable character
The character is thoroughly sustained so that the performance
38 41 A
Workshop Evaluation
What have you learned about the play Teechers?
What activities did you do in the workshop?
What non-naturalistic acting techniques have you
learned and used in the workshop?
How has the workshop helped you to develop
your understanding of the characters?
