Coriolanus Performance Pictures

This photo on the left, shows me opening our piece, I think this was a very good way of doing it, as it shows me brushing away other peoples work and introducing Dinnington Comprehensive act. My costume is simply black as Volumina cannot take over this role, I was not meant to be doing this dance, even though I choreographed it. The lighting in the background mixes well with the plain black clothing and it looks like a shadow reflecting against the wall to create an effect. There are also reflections on the flaw, these are to set the mood and add emotion to the dance. Also, it resembles lots of things going on at once, this foreshadows the amount of things that happen in Coriolanus. Overall I think this dance looked effective, as it signifies the start of act 5.

This photo on the right was taken from scene 1, it shows us throwing rocks to the opposite team, shouting 'Burn, fire, fire, fire, fire'. Different levels and the use of space shows certain people lead to fight. The slide show at the back is used to create effect to add to our performance. Everyone is wearing the same, this illustrates we are from the same side and it looks very forceful against the fiery red background.

This photo was taken when Volumnia and Virgillia enter the performance area. Volumnia's costumes are the same to show the relationship between the character, we also bowed at the same time, so that the audience understood we were the same person. Virgillia (Coriolanus' wife) was separated to show a different character. Here I had to stand neutral, as shown on the photo, this is because Volumnia was not important at this time. Also the lighting and effects have altered to represent a change in mood, notice how it's gone from red (evil) to blue (calm).

Here is a photo of Coriolanus and his mother, the different levels are effective but also Volumnia is higher, this shows she is very powerful and makes it clear she will persuade her son. Heads are down, this illustrates distress and guilt. Our costumes are blue, the same as the background, this is to show the how capable Volumnia is at completing a challenge. This image was actually a tableau.

This is part of the play is where Coriolanus ignores his mothers requests. Therefore it was time for Volumnia to take control and advise her son that everyone in Rome will die, including herself. My face shows how anxious i am to get my message across, I acted the calm Volumnia but was still desperate. In my opinion, I think the stars in the background show where Coriolanus's family will be if he doesn't back down, I also think the blue represents sky too. This scene was very powerful and effective and included many arguments and tears during the performance.

Last chance too show how important the decision is. All looking down at Coriolanus with disheartened faces. Our faces show disappointment. My hair is still neat to match my character, however the others have been pulled with anger to show frustration. Coriolanus's face is beginning to look confused, realising he cannot win anyway - either way he will die. Remembering what Volumnia said, she would rather have many sons dead but proud, rather than one ungrateful and alive.

Volumnia became powerful, as she managed to persuade her son. The death is important, everyone surrounds Coriolanus so that there is no escaping. The red background represents blood and hell, meanwhile, the slide show is 
displaying hands shaking on a deal. This is so Coriolanus remembers what he intended to do and how he went against Aufidius. Me, Volumnia was proud of my son as Rome was no longer in danger therefore showed relief but at the same time lost an important person.

The last scene of Coriolanus is very effective and emotional. Coriolanus, the hero is now dead. Lifted high with respect but anger. The slide show is showing a broken chain. The journey has been a chain along away, also now Coriolanus's life is broken. The scene its self involved bit of physical theatre and the lift just completed the piece. Everyones costume is black, this is as though the were prepared for a funeral.

More Coriolanus Tableaus

Volumnia and Virgillia begging Coriolanus

 After been given Act 5 from Coriolanus (our act) we had to pick out 3 important sections from the plot.

This first still shot shows Volumina and Virgillia begging to Coriolanus not to fight Rome. This is because Coriolanus loves his mum very much and listens to what she has to say. Me (Volumnia) and Emma (Virgillia) are pleading at different levels to show effect so that  Coriolanus knows how much this means to others. I am pleading with my fists clenched together, with tears almost falling from my eyes.  Emma on the floor makes Caius see that the love of his life is devastated. However, this needs to be a powerful image because, Coriolanus knows this could be the end of his life if he backs down now. This tableau also shows Niki (Coriolanus) is almost given in as he is stepping down onto the same level as everybody else, this is to show he has the same amount of power as his mum and to show he's doing it for his family. 

Volumnia has saved Rome

This next image follows on after Coriolanus agreed to take his mother's advice. After the news is spread, everybody thanks his mother and his wife and are known as heroes. You can see that Volumnia is known as the main hero because she is higher up and further forward than Virgillia. My facial expression looks happy because I am a proud lady at this time, the body language shows I feel powerful also, I have one hand on my forehead and one on my hip like a solider. It looks as though I have taken over Coriolanus' place. Meanwhile, Coriolanus realises what he has done and what the consequence will be when Aufidius finds out. 

Finally this last image shows the death of Coriolanus. Aufidus is so furious to find out that Coriolanus is no longer fighting Rome, his has to get revenge. Here, I can improve by taking the smile off my face and getting more into the role of somebody killing somebody else. In my opinion this ruins the effect because it doesn't look like it's meant to be a happy scene and this is something I am going to consider to improve for next time. However, I think my body language is good because I am dodging out of the way so I don't get stabbed too. Coriolanus' facial expression is great because his teeth are grinding together to represent anger because he is mad at himself for going against his conscience but he knows it's best for his loving ones. Emma's position is good because she pulled her arm back as though she was really going to stab Coriolanus, just like Karen taught us. 

If Volumina was in the picture, she would be proud of her son even if he is been killed, I know this from the quote where she mentioned she'd would rather have 12 dead and be proud rather than 1 alive and useless. On the other hand, Virgillia would be devastated even if she were proud. 

Tableau task with Karen

Glory

This image on the left shows glory. I think this tableau is good because it shows the growth of getting to the top and who has the most dignity. I think this could be improved if we all put our heads up to show more confidence. It also shows that it was a challenge because it's not even, it's on an angle. Therefore, this shows it's not simple. I would consider this in the Shakespeare  festival because it will look good as it is a theme in the play and will add to the physical theatre side of things. 

Family

The picture on the right shows our tableau when we quickly came up with an image to represent family, love. We decided the easiest way to show this way by a family picture. Positioning individuals in the group in relation to one another created a still family image. My body language shows that i'm a small child (with my thumb in my mouth)

Violence

This tableau on the left represents violence. This is obvious because everybody is in the fighting position, they've swung their arm back ready to throw a powerful punch. My body language in this image shows I don't like the person who I am wanting to punch, also it's difficult to see but my facial expression is angry too. 

Honesty

The image on the right represents honesty. 
We are all sat down, this shows everybody is the same, levels aren't needed because everybody is equal. We set it out as though we were having a story time having hands together promising to tell the truth. I think this sets a nice image, it's straight forward but still shows how genuine you are. 

This image is revenge.
Everybody is backstabbing one another. 
I think this is good way to show the tableau because it shows different levels which shows who's the most powerful. 
I think my body language is good because I'm drooping as though I'm being stabbed, however, I'm still standing

Revenge

Loyalty

which shows I'm strong and capable of stabbing someone else. The word revenge shows that whenever someone does something to you, you do something back. This was why we came up with the idea of backstabbing each other in a line. 

 The image Loyalty shows us all being loyal and having faith, we are all linking arms and smiling to show this image. Also, we are knelt on one knee as though we are proud.