1. The Corpse AIMS 1.To consider what theatrical style is used in Boom 2.To analyse the use and character of the Corpse

2. The theatrical style of Boom Boom is a realist/naturalist play It present real life on stage – normal situations, normal people, normal speech The audience believe that these are real people e.g. they are not representative of something else.

5. What is Magical Realism? Magical elements are blended into a realistic atmosphere in order to access a deeper understanding of reality. Explained like normal occurrences that are presented in a straightforward manner which allows the "real" and the "fantastic" to be accepted together. Matthew Strecher - "what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something 'too strange to believe'".

6. Prologue of Boom Jean Tay initially planned to start the play with a monologue by Mother, in the spotlight, alone, complaining about how she was being forced to move. Instead, she begins with a hand emerging from a gravestone, with the sound of booming in the background. CONSIDER – Why does she choose to start the play in such a non-naturalistic way? What effect does it have on the audience?

7. Task 1.In pairs, read Act One, Scene 14 (p.40) and Scene 6 (pgs 21-25) 2.Mind map what you know about the character of the corpse (both from these scenes and earlier/later in the play), the impression we get of him and what you think he might represent

8. Jean Tay on the Corpse “I thought it would be interesting to take this tack – to show its not just about the living, but also about the dead” She tried to find a balance between reality and unreality, so she didn’t want him to say too much. He’s a voice narrating another strand of the story.