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MEISIE: Close the window! I'm not allowed to hear the music! Please! CONSTABLE: Just for a while - NSC Dramatic Arts - Question 7 - 2024 - Paper 1
Question 7
MEISIE: Close the window! I'm not allowed to hear the music! Please! CONSTABLE: Just for a while. It lets in the night air. MEISIE: (Pressing her hands to her ears.)... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:MEISIE: Close the window! I'm not allowed to hear the music! Please! CONSTABLE: Just for a while - NSC Dramatic Arts - Question 7 - 2024 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe to the actors what is happening in the scene in SOURCE L.
Answer
In this scene, Meisie is overwhelmed by the loud music and is desperate to close the window and the door. The Constable, however, is reluctant to comply. He engages with Meisie physically by holding her waist and attempting to calm her as she expresses fear and agitation about the noise. The contrast between Meisie's frantic actions and the Constable's more controlled demeanor highlights the tension in the scene.
Step 2
Explain how dramatic tension is built in the scene in SOURCE L.
Answer
Dramatic tension is built through the interplay of fear and control. Meisie's physical reaction—blocking her ears and wanting to close the window—demonstrates her distress. The Constable's actions, such as opening the window and holding her waist, create a contrast that escalates the tension. Additionally, the sensory element of the loud music serves as a constant reminder of Meisie's discomfort, creating an environment ripe for conflict and emotional upheaval.
Step 3
Analyse how the actor playing Meisie might use the vocal skills of pace, inflection and volume to deliver her lines in SOURCE L.
Answer
Meisie could use a quick pace at the beginning to convey her urgency and distress when she asks to close the window. As the Constable holds her, her pace might slow, embodying her resignation. Inflection is crucial; raising her voice in panic will communicate her fear effectively. For volume, she could start by shouting, but as the scene progresses, a softer tone might reflect her emotional vulnerability and submission to the Constable's authority.
Step 4
Motivate your choice of blocking for the characters in SOURCE L.
Answer
Blocking should emphasize the physical and emotional distance between the characters. Meisie's initial movement towards the window indicates her need for freedom, while the Constable's stopping her showcases his control. Transitioning from Meisie's frantic movement to standing still as the Constable holds her will visually represent her psychological struggle between fear and submission. This not only highlights the tension but also facilitates a shift in the audience's engagement with the characters.
Step 5
Explain to the actors why the scene in SOURCE L is the climax of the play.
Answer
This scene represents the climax because it encapsulates the culmination of the emotional struggle between freedom and control. Meisie's desperation reaches its peak as she fights against the oppressive presence of the Constable, embodying the central conflict of the narrative. Their physical interaction emphasizes the stakes of her emotional turmoil, making it the moment where the audience fully grasps the themes of the play—fear versus authority.
Step 6
Justify whether the actions, gestures or body language of the TWO actors in SOURCE M are appropriate for what happens in the scene.
Answer
Meisie's actions of hesitantly approaching the Constable and holding her ears effectively portray her conflicted emotions, making her portrayal appropriate. The Constable's more assertive gestures, such as holding her waist, reinforce his authority, aligning well with the scene's tension. Both actors must convey their characters’ struggle effectively, and their body language should reflect the emotional stakes and dynamics of power within this interaction.