Staging and Set

For our version of Metamorphosis, we originally took inspiration of the set from the original Berkoff play, which created this frame which allowed for great exploration into the movement of the main character Gregor. We initially created a set which looked like this\;

However, we found that this often restricted our movements as we limited ourselves to movement either on the lower or raised stage and were unsure how to overcome this. As we began to experiment more with the script however, and began to try and create images, our experimentation helped us to create a much smaller but more integrated and accessible set that we have used in the final performance.

It began with the work we did whilst experimenting with movement and set. Through exploring the way we could integrate a table into our images it helped to pave the way for incorporating it into scenes. We chose the walkway shape as our basis set as it allowed us to experiment with levels without feeling confined by them as we had found ways of moving both the tables and ourselves with it.

The style of Total Theatre impacts on Berkoff plays and often results in minimalist set so that the focus remains on physical movement and character creation. While our choices don’t exactly follow this minimal style, the way in which we adapt the set moves it beyond just furniture for the scenes. The tables are used to create the warehouse, the sink and as a pathway which actually aides the minimalist style ( for example in the lodgers scene, which does not follow staging of traditional theatre), rather than just as a table. Equally the chairs on stage often act in the place of blocks which help raise characters above others.

Raised staging-

Initially, we wanted to use raised staging. This was a response to our desire to make Gregor a constant, if sometimes unacknowledged, member of the family and for this reason we did not include an offstage area in our set. The problem this posed was that, on ground level, Gregor would  not be seen by members of the audience beyond the first row when near the front of the stage. We would have used raised staging in order to fix this issue, however we simply didn’t have access to the equipment needed at the time.

Stage- for similar reasons to above, we were not able to implement our idea for the stage. We wanted to place the performance in a minimalist setting, using a blacked out space for the walls and floor. This takes influence from the characteristics of Total Theatre, and also our desire for the characters expression and movement to stand out rather than the stage and set itself.