In the one-act play 'Checkout' by Johnny Grim, Mr Morgan is a leading character. An old man in his late fifties who lives in Australia and is a regular customer of the store 'G-Mart'. Mr Morgan should in my opinion wear a simple hat, jacket and trousers like presented below but they should be neat and clean as Mr Morgan is someone who has a lot of respect for himself.
Reference: Google Images
Props:
- Walking cane (for Morgan)
- Expired ticket to a bus tour in Paris (for Morgan)
- Store themed apron (for Jenny and storeman)
- Fat wallet (for Wedgecock)
- Desk (for Mr Wedgecock)
- Cashier stand
- Shelves with supermarket goods
Stage Set
*The blue part on the floor from downstage right to upstage left is where the imaginary customers besides Morgan are walking and Jenny points them to walk in that direction to try the self serve machines.
On the 17th April my drama class performed the comedic version of the last two acts of Shakespeare's Othello. The audience had a good laugh and I feel that the play was a success. Apart from directing one of the scenes in previous classes, my role was as an announcer in Act 4 Scene 1 and Act 5 Scene 2. In comparison to some parts that my fellow classmates were to act out I didn't have much to memorise. I remembered to come out at the end of Act 4 Scene 1 and said the lines. I know myself to have stage fright but after rehearsing in class and at home my small part went fairly smoothly despite the fact that one of the announcers that was supposed to speak alongside me didn't come out in time and remained backstage. At the end of the play, Act 5 Scene 2, I was to come out and bring the play to a conclusion by speaking in chorus with the other 3 announcers on stage. There was an announcer that came from the wrong side of the stage and I had to walk to the other side so that the number of people was even on either side. We only rehearsed the line together twice and started speaking at different times on stage at which point I messed up my lines in confusion, so I would improve that if we were to redo the play. Finally, our whole class was to sit backstage and exclaim 'die' or 'gone from this world' for dramatic effect instead of the actor on stage saying it and I made sure to follow the script as the play went along and say the words when needed.
There will be several actors in a position where they are all performing one role in the school play 'Othello' by William Shakespeare, so a certain attire has to be worn by the actors with one feature that will distinguish the role of each character. Preferably, all actors will wear a black t-shirt with black trousers. The following items will be worn or carried around by actors performing certain roles to represent them:
- Othello: Carries a rifle (as he is the head of the military)
- Iago:
- Desdemona: Wears a flower on her head
- Cassio: Carries a book as he is very educated
- Roderigo: Carries around an expensive looking walking stick because he is rich
- Emilia: Wears an apron
- Bianca: Wears a big shiny necklace
- Montano carries around a scroll to symbolise the government
- Announcers: Wear dark robes and each carry a lit candle to look mysterious
Impossible! How could it be that
Desdemona overlooked me, Roderigo, for that filty rat from the military, Othello!? Be he forever cursed if the rumours are true, and he indeed married
Desdemona. It drives me senseless to think that she would hold someone as
atrocious so dearly to heart. *thoughtful expression* Of course! Oh poor
Desdemona, my dear, you must have fallen to his dark, wicked charms. What a
right fool I am to think this was a voluntary marriage. Worry not, Desdemona,
not all is lost. He shall feel my wrath, that wretched moor. My revenge will be
sweet, I know of the man to help me realise my glorious deed. Iago, I will make
use of Iago and win you over from Othello’s evil grasp. News of this tragedy
must be brought to Senator Brabantio’s notice immediately, and that is exactly what I intend to do.
Video:
P.S: Some clips got corrupted and had to be recorder again which is why it looks dodgy.
Song 1: Michael Jackson - They Don't Care About Us
Relation to play: The chorus of the song, "All I want to say is that, they don't really care about us", represents somebody's feeling of resentment towards people around them who do not care about them. This could relate to Iago's hate and plot for revenge which follows after Cassio's promotion over Iago himself in the army. However neither does he have much care for other characters in the play, such as his henchman, Roderigo, who he sends to fight Cassio twice in the play without any concern for him. Cassio too, the man promoted over him. Iago doesn't care about Othello who really did nothing wrong yet was manipulated and hurt in the search for revenge, even his wife Emilia who he murdered so his evil deeds were not uncovered.
Acted out in class: Iago stands behind with a hateful expression while Cassio celebrates his promotion.
Song 2: Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
Relation to play: "You know the rules, and so do I", "We know the game and we're gonna play it". These quotes relate to Othello's and Desdemona's secret relationship and marriage. Othello is a moor that is only admired for his high rank in the military but being a man of colour, marriage with a white girl is prohibited. However they take a gamble and stay in a relationship, which links to the lyrics.
Acted out in class: Othello proposes to Desdemona on one knee, Desdemona is shocked.
Song 3: Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
Relation to play: Senator Barbantio is the father of Desdemona who is not fond of Othello either. After finding out that his daughter married Othello, he accuses him of using witchcraft to seduce Desdemona, but she testifies that she loves him by choice. Barbantio disowns his daughter, which links to the song's chorus "now you're just somebody that I used to know". Barbantio in a way feels betrayed that his daughter would marry a man he highly disapproves of and wants to leave with him, "but you didn't have to cut me off".
Acted out in class: Desdemona defiantly looks at Barbantio as he storms off.
Song 4: Simple Plan - Untitled (How Could This Happen To Me)
Relation to play: The chorus of the song relates a lot to Othello's feeling and state in the final scene when he realises that Desdemona was a faithful wife and he was tricked into killing probably the only person that will love him in this country. "How could this happen to me? I made my mistakes" This links to Othello questioning what he has done "Got nowhere to run, the night goes on as I'm fading away" He knows that he committed murder and now feels helpless. The 'night' part fits in because it is set at night. "I'm sick of this life" Othello's thoughts of suicide. Acted out in class: The end of the play, Othello looks down on his dead wife regretting what he has done and stabs himself.