Shakespeare's plays are timeless. This is because of the themes within each play are so relatable.
NCEA English and NCEA Drama are two NCEA subjects that analyse Shakespeare. I love that they do because there's so many life lessons to learn from Shakespearean plays, which is vital for NCEA students as they make sense of their worlds.
This blog is the first of three blogs that will include my top 3 Shakespearean plays and a brief look into why I enjoy them.
It requires sophisticated delivery to gain a natural roar of laughter.
#1 Twelfth Night
Synopsis / Storyline:
Twelfth Night is a comedy set in a place called Illyria. It's about a girl named Viola who pretends to be a boy named Cesario. This leads to a funny love mix-up between Duke Orsino and Lady Olivia. The play talks about things like boys and girls, figuring out who you are, and how strong love can be. The characters say funny things and there are some things that keep coming back in the story. But the character that I adore above all is Malvolio. He is the reason I like to teach this play.
Favourite Scene to teach NCEA students:
There is well known scene (Act 3 Scene 4) in Twelfth Night that I enjoy teaching. Here, Olivia sends for her servant Malvolio, however Malvolio prior to this moment receives a fake letter from Olivia telling him to wear yellow stockings to arose her. I think it is a great scene to teach as it is a very comedic driven scene where students can play with the eye of cat and mouse.
How NCEA Drama students benefit from performing this scene:
NCEA students must select deliberate NCEA Drama techniques and stage directions that are driven by character motives (cat and mouse chase).
NCEA students must select deliberate NCEA Drama techniques and perform stage directions that showcase higher and lower status based on societal norms (e.g. Countness vs servant).
As a Shakespearean comedy has high expectations of over exaggerated drama techniques, NCEA students have to apply a lot of energy to fully peak the repulsion Olivia has and the ignorant lust that Malvolio has as well.
As a Shakespearean comedy has high expectations of audience interaction, NCEA students have to develop courage and confidence in their own delivery of their roles, so that they are able to break the fourth wall are interact with the audience, making them feel like they are a part of the experience, marvelling in Malvolio's attempted pursuits and Olivia's puzzled dismissals. This can be done by running through the audience or projecting dialogue or stage directions toward specific people in the audience.
NCEA students understand how powerful language is when they discover (after deciphering the Shakespearean language) how specific and detailed each description truly is.
NCEA students learn to relax and enjoy comedy for what it is, and realise, as fun as comedy can be, it requires sophisticated delivery to gain a natural roar of laughter.
This is a wonderful play that will squeeze your heart and thump out your laughter. Twelfth Night is a great play NCEA students will enjoy analysing and performing.
All the best,
Tovah
Tovah's Tutoring Company Ltd ®
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