Grindley's Production Of Abigail's Party example essay topic

Describe how and why your own experience of watching (rather than participating in as a performer ect) ONE piece of drama (e.g. play, film, programme or event) has contributed significantly to your decision to read drama at university. Abigail's Party by Mike Leigh 20th September 2003 Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham Directed by David Grindley Lead Performers: Elizabeth Holley, Simon Wilson David Grindley's production of Abigail's Party came to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in Sept 2003. It was widely reviewed and met with critical acclaim. The production was so thought provoking that upon leaving the auditorium the noise in the foyer was deafening as the audience discussed the play. I found that I also had much to say and discuss with my companions: from set interpretation to acting, from costumes to direction. In reading a variety of reviews about the touring production, I found the range of opinions was vast: From "Grindley's direction retains the magic of the original, even down to all the embarrassing pauses" British Theatre Guide to "So often attempts at 'period' pieces on stage are let down by visual, verbal or other inconsistencies or misplaced details" Hampstead Theatre Reviewer.

I believe that by reading drama at university I would have the opportunity to formally review works such as Abigail's Party with like minded people. I believe that this would deepen my understanding of the play and allow me to explore different points of view. For me one of the attractions of the theatre is that there are so many different interpretations of a play. Every spectator has a different experience and viewpoint.

One of the aspects of the play that I particularly admired was the director's production concept. Set firmly in the 1970's, David Grindley has chosen to keep the play in its original environment. The attention to detail and obvious care that had been taken in choosing the minutiae of the set meant that the audience were transported back to that era. Whilst laughing at the eccentricities of the time, the audience was lulled into a false sense of security feeling detached from the characters. As Beverley's condescension and working class snobbery became more apparent, the satire was all the more biting with the audience's realisation to the relevance in their own lives, David Grindley's decision to retain the original setting of the text in order to embellish this satire is one of the most admirable decisions in the production. It has left me with the desire to broaden my experience and understanding of how to create successful production concept.

The range of options open to David Grindley of setting and genre were vast due to the changing face of British theatre over the past 100 years. Several other versions of the same play have been updated e.g. Simon Saunders' recent production was set in the 1990's. The decision to keep the production in its original context is one which Grindley found most challenging When interviewed he commented 'to choose which direction I should take the production was one of the most challenging obstacles I was faced with when reviving this modern classic'. I hope to develop this ability to view a text, such as 'Abigail's Party' which was devised through improvisation, and to understand which aspects will make it into a successful play.

In appealing to the senses through the visual, aural and sensory nature of the production. The play captivated my attention from the moment I entered the auditorium such that I was disappointed when the production ended. The pace of the show was excellent, ranging from quick cued arguments to awkward silences. One moment that stood out was when Beverly and Laurence were both speaking at the same time. It was difficult to decide whom to listen to, but was very effective.

The attention to detail in the set was so realistic that the play still lives in my memory. The characters, while exaggerated, are immediately recognisable, the social discomfort conspicuous. It is this instant and lasting sense of connection which ensures the play's continued impact. The production whetted my appetite and inspired me to want to create an equally timeless piece. Rather than watching the production as a spectator, my passion for theatre led me to wish that I had been involved in the creation of this piece. It is this creative passion that has driven me to read drama at university.

How, precisely, do you think the drama programme, for which you have applied at Manchester, will contribute to and enrich your appreciation of that piece of drama. I feel that the drama programme at the University of Manchester would provide me with the skills to enhance my understanding of the production of Abigail's Party. Following the production my opportunities to review and discuss the play were limited to family and friends. If I had been at the University I would have had the opportunity to discuss it with fellow students with similar backgrounds and interests. I would have benefited from hearing tutors speak about the different aspects of the play and had the opportunity to challenge and debate different viewpoints.

I would also benefit from the opportunity to learn how to formally critically review and analyse a play. Theatre Studies A level has taught me some of these skills but I feel that the University of Manchester course would further develop my analytical and evaluation skills. I read many critiques of the production I attended, some of which I agreed with and others I didn't. I would like to be in a position where I could critically write a review which could appraise the key elements of the work. David Grindley interpreted the play in a particular way and as such I left the theatre with many questions about how and why he had made various directorial decisions.

This production inspired me to want to learn how to interpret a play myself and to develop my skills as a director. I believe that at the University of Manchester, I would be encouraged to interpret plays creatively and to understand how creative decisions are made. I would like to have the time and space to develop my creative skills such that I could produce a work as inspirational as Abigail's Party. The aspect of the production that I found most intriguing was the cultural experience. On the surface this play was a study of 1970's society. The attention to detail, for example in the sourcing of props and costumes, had been well researched and evoked perfectly the era.

Yet fundamentally this play was a study of human nature - as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. At the University of Manchester I believe that I would have the opportunity to explore this cultural aspect. How it enhances and deepens a production, why a director decides on a particular production concept and how this all contributes to the communication of the message which is at the heart of the play. Finally I particularly liked this play as Mike Leigh wrote it by using improvisation techniques. As a result the play is very natural, dialogue is unforced and the characters are believable.

At the University of Manchester I hope to have the opportunity to develop my script-writing abilities. I believe that I would learn to write in different genres benefiting from critical feedback from tutors. Currently I enjoy script-writing as a hobby but I would like to pursue this further at university.