WAR (Week Three)

Thursday 12th March

In this session we discussed the theme of war. This is the main theme as it is always shown throughout the play. Wertenbaker establishes this from the very start as the first line of the play is "WAR!". After this, a fight scene begins and two soldiers are left on the battlefield where one is then brutally killed; this is shown as the war of Athens. The next scene continues with the theme of war when Philomele and Procne are admiring the attractive soldiers fighting for their protection.

One way that we have supported the theme of war in out performance is by creating an extra scene at the beginning of the performance where a group of school children are sheltering from an air raid that is happening. Another way is through physical movement. For example, we have included a stylised piece at the beginning of the play which represents conflict and the war that is happening around them. We have also included stage combat/fighting in a number of scenes.

Another way that the theme of war is portrayed in the play is after the war when Tereus returns from it, Procne is considered to be a prize for him. Also, a lot of men change to be more violent and abusive after returning from the war, this is shown when he assaults Philomele. Both of these events are consequences that have occurred because of the war taking place.