VCE Theatre Studies U1O3 Revision Quiz

When analysing a performance, you should always pass personal judgement and use first person language.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Analysis differs from a critical review – an effective analysis does not pass personal judgment but infers meaning and highlights effective use of theatrical techniques. 

The director of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Michael Cassel Group is...

Which actor played the character of Scorpius Malfoy in Michael Cassel Group's version of HPCC?

• Gareth Reeves

• Ben Walter

• Nyx Calder

• Lachlan Woods

Answer explanation

Nyx Calder played the role of Scorpius Malfoy.

When analysing the context of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, you need to make sure you mention...

• Theatre technologies

• How the elements of theatre composition were used

• How the characters felt in the scenes

• How production roles conveyed the context on stage

Answer explanation

Whenever you are analysing the context of a theatre production, you need to mention how production roles (acting, direction and design) have applied the production role to convey and realise the context.

Key context surrounding Harry Potter and the Cursed Child you could mention in the SAC could be...

Answer explanation

The main key contexts of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child you should mention are:

- The Harry Potter fandom and how it was partly because of the fan response globally that HPCC was created. Also, in creating HPCC, the fandom has inadvertently dictated how some of the characters and settings are depicted in the play to avoid fan backlash.

- The film adaptation and how this has influenced how production roles were applied in the play (e.g. costuming, acting and set design). A lot of inspiration for the play came from the film version and there are acting portrayals of some characters that mimic the same as the film (e.g. Dumbledore, Snape). Also connected to the fandom response.

- The time and setting of the play and how production roles conveyed the setting (e.g. the UK) and time period (different time periods such as early 2020's, 1990's, 1980's)

What are some key theatre technologies used in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?

• The stage revolve that depicted time changing and scene transitions

• Projections/projection mapping to project setting and time turner sequences

• Pyrotechnics used to convey magic spells during wand fight sequences

• LED screens used to show clocks and time symbolism

The theatre style that is most present in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is...

Answer explanation

Magic Realism theatre style that will include characters and plot events that highlight:

Fantastic or imaginary elements and often unsettling images or events depicted in a sharply detailed, realistic manner

The fantastical and supernatural exist in a realistic setting and are almost always accepted by other characters as normal.

An element that refers to how production roles draw audience attention and focus to a particular aspect of the production is called...

• Emphasis

• Motion

• Rhythm

• Focus

An element that refers to many different elements working together to change the dynamics of an interpretation is...

Answer explanation

Variation is different from contrast. First, it involves many elements working together, not just two in juxtaposition. Secondly, it almost always is applied to increase tension, conflict and energy- whereas contrast serves other functions.

E.g. This is the first scene to use an isolated portion of the stage, this variation in the use of the space communicates...

Which element refers to the movement of actors and design elements in an interpretation?

• Movement

• Motion

• Variation

• Rhythm

Answer explanation

Motion is more than just the discussion of what the movement is. You need to avoid simple statements such as “the actor moved himself off prompt by his own tie” and instead go into the how they are moving. Such as the “the actor’s motion was frenetic, as shown through him pulling himself across the stage by the tie to physically communicate his inner turmoil and indecision.”