1. Steven Berkoff

2. Seven states of tension.
Berkoff’s work exists at 1, 2 and 6, 7- it is all about extremes.
Freezes should be held with great tension and with exaggerated facial expressions
‘Movement is another language’

3. Berkoff’s theatre The Actor creates the whole environment physically.
All props are mimed or physically embodied by part of the actors anatomy
This should make theatre more of a spectacle
Test the level of physical control by using extremes of pace- slow/ fast
“I despise naturalism, a good actor should need no props.” Berkoff

4. Influences Mime Creating the environment physically
Physical Theatre of Jacques Le Coq
Mime
Creating the environment physically
7 states of tension
Heightened Gesture
Brecht’s alienation
Plays seek not to recreate real life, but to revel in the spectacle of theatre
At times plays have been episodic and had a political message (Sink The Belgrano)
The notion of Gestus and exaggerated characters/ stereotypes
Greek Theatre
Use of a chorus
Long verse speeches
Directly addressing an audience

5. So to play a Berkoff character
You should have hyperbolic physicality (clear Gestus- heightened gesture) play up the stereotype.
Play with the rhythm and tempo of the verse, enjoy the flow of the language
Deliver dialogue straight out to the audience- not to the other actor
Create the environment around you physically using mime and sound effects
Play the scene with great tension in your body.

6. Major Berkoff plays
‘Newer Berkoff’* offensive, shocking, character driven plays
East
West
Greek
Kvetch
Decadence
‘Older Berkoff’ dark, chorus driven plays
The Trial
Metamorphosis
* I say ‘newer’ but these plays came out between 1975 and 1986, so they are all about 30 years old! – after this he tended to do 1 man shows in the 90s (Dog, Tell Tale Heart, Shakespeare’s Villains)