Fluidity of movement and the convention asides and gossip By Ben Webber

What is fluidity of movement? Fluidity is like precision. The quality of being precise and accurate. If your performance on stage displays fluidity then your acting is clean and natural. Fluidity is mainly applied to movement but is also important in conversations between other characters to add realism. Fluidity is a crucial part of drama as it shows your play is well rehearsed and inherent.

How to apply fluidity to a performance.. Tidy fluidity requires practise and patience. One of the best ways to exhibit fluidity is to use body language in reaction to what the other character is saying. For example if the other character says ‘I’m going to kill you’ an instant contraction of muscles and a dramatic step back will be very fluid. Fluidity is also knowing exactly when you are supposed to come on and off the stage so that there are not any awkward breaks in the middle of the show.

Why is fluidity important? Fluidity is important because it shows you have planned your performance and you understand the theme and story of the play. Without fluidity everyone would look like statues on the stage. Fluidity helps develop a character and make them unique adding layers and complexity to your story. Fluidity helps keep the audience engaged and stops the play from becoming disjointed and meaningless.

Fluidity Bullet Points Fluidity is being precise, accurate and smooth in your movements on-stage. To be fluid you need to know your cues and learn your lines. Fluidity is important because it keeps the audience interested. A good way of displaying fluidity is reacting with body language to everything that the other characters say. Fluidity helps avoid the dreaded ‘dead stage’.

What are asides and gossip? An aside is a an interesting drama convention because it is one of the only times during the play that an individual character has contact with the audience. In an aside, the character steps forward and the rest of the cast freezes allowing the actor to convey their direct thoughts to the audience. The convention gossip is used between members of the cast often chorus members to spread rumours about events in the play. These rumours can sometimes be developed into a chorus theme .

How to apply asides and gossip to a performance.. When presented at the appropriate time, an aside can really enhance a play. The best way to exhibit an aside is to wait for another character to say something controversial, count to three and then step forward and say what you think about that comment. Gossip is similar although it must be shared throughout all the involved characters. Gossip can be turned into the main theme of the play if it is spread around a few characters.

Why are asides and gossip important? Asides and gossip add a personal touch to any drama performance as they let the audience in on the personal thoughts and desires of the character. Without the occasional aside in a complex play it can be hard for some people to keep up. These small conventions can really help the audience get a good grasp of the storyline and even feel involved in the story.

Asides and Gossip bullet points Count to three before stepping forward to perform your aside. Gossip is a useful convention to base a play around as it spreads quickly keeping the play fast-paced. Asides help keep the audience’s interest as it makes them feel involved.

Bibliography http://arts.unitec.ac.nz/engageinarts/drama/glossary.php Collins English Dictionary My Parents Drama Techniques Book