How To Deconstruct a Play? (1 Viewer)

[ShadowSwifter]

Hey Guys:

Currently in my school, we are doing a play called Death and the Maiden (by Allan Wood I think) and we will be asked to write an essay on how the play portrays the theme of justice.

My teacher hasn't exactly given any notes on how to deconstruct a play in general, like the purpose of stage directions, props, settings etc. I'm just wondering if any of you guys know how to approach/deconstruct a play?

Any ideas will be great. Thanks

 

[ur_inner_child]

Just do it the same way you would with any narrative. Look at dialogue techniques, language techniques etc and how they convey meaning.

Your stage directions could help, eg if the lighting turns blue, what does this mean to you? How does it add to the mood? Etc. Use stage directions much in the same way as a technique. What is it trying to do to the scene?

Deconstruction in general is normally the same from medium to medium, you just have to recognise the techniques that are particular to it. Eg Camera movements & close ups for film or rhyme for poems, etc.