08 April 2007

Characterful




La Ronde, set in turn-of-the-century Vienna is about the façade of seduction and sexual games played out by couples. The character lead production is full of stereotypes and pulls focus on the individual character’s agendas and personalities. With an emphasis on larger than life characters I intend to render this production with a characterful style. Hauixiang (2004 pg vii) states: ‘…the characters body language reflects the soul and spirit of the character, and an interesting gesture helps display the style of the costume’. Costume designers such as Lez Brotherson, Anne Curry and Nancy Surman have effectively used this expressive style of drawing for some time. Brotherson in particular is know to use one fundamental trademark body shape which he adapts. With the slight change of gestures and expressions he transforms these templates from female temptress to innocent boy. Common features of this caricature style of drawing are big faces with large than life expressions and animated poses with bold well defined lines. ‘Directors and actors find faces helpful in the depiction of character’ (Curry 2006). This style lends it self to La Ronde comic, outrageous themes and character lead script.

No comments: