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1984 Dramatic Elements
by George Orwell
DRAMATIC
ELEMENTS
Created & performed by shake & stir theatre co
Dramatic Elements compiled by Naomi Russell.
© This Resource Kit is protected by Copyright.
Limited photocopying for classroom use
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DRAMATIC ELEMENT
ROLE
Performers will take on one or more
roles throughout a dramatic piece. This
requires them to embody someone or
something beyond themselves to make
a believable and credible character for
the audience. It is also important to
think about their role in the dramatic
action. Is it pivotal? Supportive?
Language
The words that are spoken. It’s the
foundation of a text-based play. Subtext
should also be analysed as well as
stage directions when reading and
interpreting a play.
Movement
The way an actor uses their body to
show emotions/reactions. Blocking on
stage. Movement can be literal or
abstract, depending on the piece.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
APPLICATION in 1984
Was the piece character or plot
driven? How were the roles used
to help create the story? Did the
actors play more than one role?
How did they do this? What
changes were evident in their
performance? Was the role
convincing? How were the roles
established and maintained? What
role did that character have in the
drama?
All the actors except Bryan Probets (Winston) play more than one role. Identify
with students that they were changed by costuming, props, voice and
movement.
Think about how different roles served different purposes. EG Parsons was
used to lighten to mood and show an innocence in a party member.
Charrington’s role was of the ultimate betrayal - and this was built throughout
the play. He preyed on Winston’s weakness (privacy) and used this against
him in the betrayal (he was a member of the Thought Police the whole time).
How were words used to create
power? What was the subtext
behind some of the memorable
lines? How did the language help
to shape the drama? What was
interesting about the language?
Was it hard to understand?
Language is pivotal in 1984 - they are creating a new language - Newspeak.
Also words have a lot of power behind them - most words used actually mean
the opposite EG ‘Ministry of Love’ is actually torture, friends are enemies, the
concept of privacy does not exist.
Think about the power of the words used - the impact of simply saying ‘Room
101’ and the reaction it draws. It’s also important to look at the fact that
audience members bring their own meaning to words - each comes with a
different level of prior knowledge of the text - and with this comes personal
subjectivity.
Was the movement symbolic in
anyway? How was movement
contrasted by stillness? What
effect did this have? How did the
blocking change the way you
interpreted the play? Was the
movement direct or fluid? Why
was it done this way?
Movement is used a variety of ways in 1984 - including repetition, rhythm, fast
and slow paced. During the opening 2 Minute Hate sequence the characters’
movements are strong and directed, whereas in scenes between Julia and
Winston the movement is more fluid and messy. In scenes where Winston is at
work movement is used to show the dull and repetitive nature of his work. In
the Ministry of Love choreographed stage fighting is used to show torture and
violence. Throughout the play there are moments when Winston is still whilst
others move around him.
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DRAMATIC ELEMENT
SPACE
The personal and general space used
on stage. This can refer to ‘the space
between’ or how the actors used the
stage space to create a specific
reaction.
STATUS
The power behind a role. Who has
control in a scene and how the power
shifts between characters. This can be
determined through language,
movement, gesture, voice, costuming,
staging, lighting and A/V designs.
focus
How attention is directed on stage to
what is most worthy of attention. This
also relates to an actor’s focus.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
APPLICATION in 1984
How was the space used? Did it
feel open or closed? Was it cold or
warm? How did the actors interact
with the space? What did the
space between the actors tell you
about the characters?
The contrast between ‘real’ and ‘imaginary’ space in 1984 is used to great
effect. There is always reference to Winston’s physical space and his mental
space - sometimes this is shown on the telescreens behind him. It’s clear that
he is in two different ‘spaces’ at the same time.
Space is also used in the set design and use of lighting. EG Shafts of light are
used to emphasize the small space of the cubicles in the Ministry of Truth.
Who had the power in each
scene? How could you tell? How
was the status shown? What
techniques were used to create
status on the stage? Does anyone
challenge the status? Where does
the power shift in the play? Why
does it shift? Can you rank the
characters in order of status?
What key moments shift this?
Power is shown on stage through levels, blocking, movement, language and
the telescreens. In particular status is evident when Winston is being tortured
in Room 101. O’Brien is physically strong and stands over a weak and fragile
Winston.
The status shifts between Julia and Winston, she begins with the power but
Winston ultimately takes it when he betrays her and she is left empty and
converted - but so does Winston.
Charrington is seen as a lower status character - a common shop owner who
lives amongst the Proles - but the ultimate betrayal comes when he reveals
himself as a member of the Thought Police.
Status and power are manipulated a lot in the play - we see children having
power of their parents - with Parsons being turned in by his own daughter.
What do we look at? How were
you made to look at this? How did
the characters create focus? How
did the set, lighting or A/V help
focus the action? What or who
kept your focus on the stage?
The telescreens are used to create and maintain focus throughout the play.
The use of A/V is of utmost importance in the play - it is used heavily to shift
the focus both between scenes and between characters.
The idea of ‘facecrime’ and ‘thoughtcrime’ are used to focus the drama - we
see Winston on stage with a blank look on his face, but the telescreen behind
him gives away his act of thoughtcrime - he cannot keep it in.
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DRAMATIC ELEMENT
MOOD
The atmosphere created. It helps to
focus the action and ‘move’ the
audience into different feelings and
emotions throughout the piece.
SYMBOL
The deeper or implied meaning of
props, costumes, lighting, text, sound or
movement.
TENSION
The driving force of the dramatic action.
It must be built, maintained or broken at
various points in the dramatic action.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
APPLICATION in 1984
What did you feel throughout the
drama? Do you think this was the
intended reaction? How were
elements such as lighting, set
design and A/V used to help
create and maintain the mood?
This is a dark play. The mood is almost constantly down, but it still goes
through waves. See if students can plot the mood on a graph, showing key
moments of heightened mood.
The mood is lightened through Winston and Julia’s relationship. They manage
to find some pleasure in their lives, and this changes the atmosphere on stage
- particularly when in the ‘golden country’.
Music is used to shape the mood onstage - ‘Oranges and Lemons’ and the
song sung by the female prole are used to establish atmosphere and
foreshadow Winston’s capture.
What could the deeper meaning
have been for things you saw on
stage? Was lighting, sound or A/V
used in a symbolic way? Was this
effective? Were props or costumes
used in a symbolic way?
1984 is full of symbols. Discuss the symbolism of the following: ‘Oranges and
Lemons’ (symbol of the past, foreshadow of the future); Julia’s red anti-sex
league sash; Winston’s diary; the telescreens; the song the Prole sings & the
lady herself; Charrington’s shop;the piece of coral; the rats, Room 101;
Winston’s skeleton like face on the telescreens; the bells (of St Clement’s) are
used as a symbol of warning. Also characters are symbolic: Winston
represents the everyman fighting against authority; Parsons is symbolic of
innocence/ignorance; Charrington - the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
How did the tension engage you?
What were you invested in? How
was it built between characters?
Why was the tension broken? How
did it happen?
Tension exists in every scene of 1984. In particular: the tension of relationships
between Winston and each character can be explored in great detail. Tension
of mystery is a constant as we never know when Big Brother is watching; when
the Thought Police will strike; who the enemy is and when betrayal will come.
Tension of surprise comes with Winston and Julia are captured. Tension of the
task surrounds all that this play stands for: standing up against Big Brother but it breaks when Winston does.
The telescreens and voice overs are used to highlight the tension and at times,
to break the tension.
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DRAMATIC ELEMENT
CONTRAST
The use of polarised or opposing
elements is important to highlight
differences in the dramatic action.
costume
The clothes and props a character has
are important when creating and
establishing role for both the actor and
the audience.
lighting
Lighting can be used for several
purposes - to establish mood,
emphasize space, show a change in
day/night, or to symbolise a variety of
things.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
APPLICATION in 1984
What binary oppositions were
used in the drama? (EG light VS
dark) How were these highlighted?
How did they help to create
dramatic action/meaning? Were
they effective?
Language is constantly contrasted in the script. Words can mean their exact
opposite: Ministry of Plenty (rations), Ministry of Truth (rewriting the past), ‘We
shall meet in the place where there is no darkness’ - Winston interprets this
‘light’ to be good - when it’s the lights used in the torture chambers.
Telescreens contrast the real and the unreal - particularly Winston’s thoughts,
the ‘entity’ of Big Brother and Goldstein.
The ideas of facecrime and thoughtcrime are contrasts. We give away our
thoughts on our face, or are we always wearing a mask?
Binary opposites drive the narrative: good VS evil; hope VS hopelessness;
dark VS light; truth VS untruth; we must understand and experience one in
order to fully understand its opposite.
How were costumes used to show
role? Were they symbolic? Were
they effective? What changes
were made by characters playing
more than one role?
The dark blue boiler suits are worn by all actors and help to show the
conformist nature of Big Brother’s power. The also highlight the lack of
personality and the extreme control of this totalitarian society. When characters
change role they substitute an element of their costume - Parsons has
glasses, Charrington is in ‘normal’ attire, O’Brien wears an all in one black
boiler-style ‘suit’, Julia has a red anti sex league sash and wears a dress at
one point - signifying her change into a more feminine and ‘individual’ role.
Were the lights used to show time
passing? Was a spot light used to
highlight key characters/scenes/
elements? How effective were the
use of blackouts? Was colour
used in the lighting? If so, why?
Unconventional lighting was used in 1984 as the telescreens also act as a
lighting fixture. The ever moving spotlight starts the show and stops on
audience members, highlighting our voyeuristic role. Lighting was also used to
show space. Shafts of light highlight the characters at work at The Ministry of
Truth. The lighting changes when Winston and Julia are in Charrington’s shop
and out in the ‘golden country’ - this is also symbolic of the double life that they
are trying to lead. Lighting was also used in the A/V on the telescreens - EG
Winston is lit to resemble a skeleton.
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DRAMATIC ELEMENT
audio/visual
Any external sound or image that is
used on stage to help tell the story,
create mood, establish the setting,
show inner thoughts and/or subtext.
Set
The design on stage. It may be minimal
or detail, moveable or stagnant.
context’
Context is the lens in which we view the
drama. It is the background information
that audiences bring with them to a
performance, which ultimately
influences their interpretation of the
play. Context can also be created on
stage through the way the narrative is
shown.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
APPLICATION in 1984
What did you see or hear that
didn’t come from an actor
onstage? What impact did the
A/V have on the telling of the
story? Did it support your
understanding of what was going
on? Was it effective in creating
mood? Did it help to show
emotion/thought? How was
diegetic and non-diegetic sound
used?
Orwell’s novel is full of technology - and so is the stage version. The A/V
design is beautifully woven into the production and the use of the plasma
telescreens and voiceovers are of extreme importance in 1984. Many
elements of the story are told through inner monologues, voice overs,
flashbacks and images that are played on the telescreens. Winston’s inner
thoughts are of particular importance - they are an example of thoughtcrime,
and, as the audience we have a sense of dramatic irony as we can predict his
downfall much more easily than him. Live cameras are also used when
Winston is being tortured - this adds to the voyeuristic nature of the play. The
use of non-diegetic sound also highlights the impersonal and detached feeling
surrounding the control of Big Brother. The booming voice overs and lack of
face to face interaction create this sense of separation.
What did the set look like? How
did you react when you first saw
it? Did it move during the play?
How effective was it in establishing
the setting? Was it symbolic?
1984 has a minimal but effective set. The huge plasma telescreens form the
back wall of the set and stage left has a moveable wall to create Charrington’s
shop. Tables protrude from the walls and slide back in when not in use. Props
are kept to a minimum and are used simplistically and symbolically.
The colour of the set is also important. Most of the set is grey, dull and
industrial, whereas Charrington’s shop is brighter and full of hope (albeit false).
What do you already know about
the text before seeing it? When
was it written? Why was it written?
Can it be set anywhere/anytime or
is the setting and time pivotal to
the meaning? What do you need
to know in order to make sense of
the narrative?
When going to see 1984 every audience member brings their own context to
the show. It is a novel that has sparked much political debate and
conversations. It has been banned in some countries in the past and Orwell’s
own political beliefs are steeped in the text. The great thing about the work is
that it could have been written anytime in the last 50 years - the text was
written in 1948 - but projected and predicted a future that is not too dissimilar
from what we see today. CCTV follows us, computers are monitored, internet
usage is watched, the government likes to be ever present in the running of
our day to day lives...
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