Mime

L1:What is Mime?

What is Mime? A theatrical technique of showing action, character, or emotion without words, using only gesture, expression, and movement.

Mime. The Greek pantomimus which means ‘imitating all’ was a form of solo dancing often accompanied by music which included both comedy and tragedy. Kathakali a form of dramatic dance of India, based on Hindu literature and characterized by masks, stylized costume and make-up and frequent use of mime. Kathakali actors train for years learning the prescribed movement, gesture and expression used in this theatre. Commedia dell'arte (Comedy of Art) is a form of theatre characterized by stock masked character types which began in Italy in the 16th century. It used improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios which were very often mimed. Dumb Show is an old term for pantomime, actions presented by actors onstage without spoken dialogue. (Usually used in plays within plays of the Elizabethan era). Jean Gaspard Batiste Deburau (developed the Pantomime character Pierrot) A clown that did not speak. Marcel Marceau (created Bip the clown from the Pierrot) He created his own school, Compagnie de Mime Marcel Marceau, in 1948, for the development of the mime arts. Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy (Silent film Comedy) Physical Theatre a form of theatre which emphasizes the use of physical movement for expression. Rowan Atkinson (created Mr Bean) influenced by physical performers such as Jacques Tati and comic actors from silent films

Physicality Every aspect of a character that should be seen in gesture, expression and movement. 1.What is the character? 2.Emotion 3.Age 4.Impediments (pain etc) 5.History of the character that could affect how they stand, sleep etc. 6.Task (What is the character doing?) 7.Environment( Is it healthy? Happy? Etc.) 8.Props and costume. (How could these affect the character’s physicality?) 9.Other characters (What is the relationship?) 10.Gesture (Speaking without speech?) a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea, emotion, intention or meaning.

Expression Eyes Eyebrows Nose Mouth Body The action of making known one's thoughts or feelings.

Expression Use expression to show characteristics and feeling. Task: Students in pairs. One is a creator and the other is a puppet. The creator moulds the shape and expression of the puppet to show one of the states below. Change roles. A small child who is lost and scared. An angry, very old person. A person who is thinking very deeply. A person who just saw a creepy crawly that they are scared of. Task: Two lines of class, on count of three you are to create an expression that shows either. Happiness Disappointment Anger Shyness Love Hurt Shock Pleasant surprise Slyness Meanness Your partner is to try and guess which state you are trying to convey.

L2:Scenario A plot outline used by actors of the commedia dell'arte Objective: To understand and perform a mimed scenario. a. Child has done something wrong, Adult is suspicious then cross. b. Person is miming to another person through a window. c. Two young people out camping in a tent, they become scared, then relieved.

Living Pictures Tableaux - a group of models or motionless figures representing a scene from a story or from history Freeze frame- a still image of a key moment/event. Devise a tableaux that gives the observer the most information of what your mimed play is about. Devise a freeze frame that demonstrates a key moment in your mimed play. Scenario a. Child has done something wrong, Adult is suspicious then cross. b. Person is miming to another person through a window. c. Two young people out camping in a tent, they become scared, then relieved.

L3: Silver screen Objectives: To explore gesture, movement and expression through the use of a Narration. To use narration in a similar style to silent movies and devise a short play. To know some of the great comedy artists of the silent film era. To recognise the techniques they used to show character. Use physicality and expression to show action, characteristics and emotion.

Narration Narration/Narrator Actor/action Incidental music

L4:Objectives To know and explain Lazzi. To learn two Lazzi. To use the Lazzi to devise a comedy play.

Lazzi Physical or verbal jokes that are learned and memorized by commedia actors. (Italian) Commedia dell'arte = comedy of art Italy in the 16th century

(Italian) Lazzi = Jokes Physical or verbal jokes that are learned and memorized by commedia actors. (Italian) Lazzo 1 = Joke 1. Lazzo of Eating the Fly. After being harassed for some time by a bothersome fly, a student catches the fly. The student then tears off the fly’s wings, studies it, and devours it as if eating a chicken.

(Italian) Lazzi = Jokes Physical or verbal jokes that are learned and memorized by commedia actors. (Italian) Lazzo 2= Joke 2 Lazzo of Falling Asleep One student (A) calls another student (B) who does not answer. Finally, the student who is called, replies but with long intervals between each word as if he has fallen asleep. Student (A) fetches student (B) who immediately falls asleep on the floor. Student (A) helps student (B) to stand who again falls asleep into the arms of student (A).

(Italian) Lazzi = Jokes Physical or verbal jokes that are learned and memorized by commedia actors. (Italian) Lazzo 3= Joke 3 Lazzi of the statue Student (A) is brought in as a statue or automation. He plays tricks on the other characters when their backs are turned, always returning to the statue position when they face him.

(Italian) Lazzi = Jokes Physical or verbal jokes that are learned and memorized by commedia actors. (Italian) Lazzo 4= Joke 4 Lazzo of the knock Student (A) just arising from a sleep, bumps his head into student (B) and then steps on Student (B’s) toes. Student (B) kicks Student (A). Student (A) responds by accidentally striking Student (B) in the face.

L5:Comedy Actions Expressions Vocal sound effects Few words

Objective: To use previous learning to devise a comedy mime about your first weeks at school. Ideas: Confusion with clothes Competition between friends over equipment or packed lunches The Queue at dinner Getting up early Listen carefully in class. Remember Drama safety rules.

L6:Performance Objectives: Perform an original devised comedy using mime. Demonstrate communication through movement, mime and gesture. Perform work to others, showing story and character in a comic way. Evaluate your own work and the work of others. To set your own targets for future learning