Drama coursework Essay

The two pieces I have chosen to compare are; ‘Twelfth Night’, written by Shakespeare and another piece ‘Complications’, devised by my group about confusion. I recognise that ‘Twelfth Night’ being such an old play has been presented and performed in various ways and I am focusing on just one film and play therefore some of the information may be irrelevant to some particular portrayals of the play. The pieces show similar story lines however being set in to very different eras they also show some vast differences. Our modern version of the piece was set in the 21st century; and ‘Twelfth Night’ was set in the 16th century (Shakespearean times). This already implies that both plays will show very different views and perceptions to the characters, their personalities and approaches, also they may show different reactions to situations. Both pieces are about two siblings and confusion of them and who they are. In ‘Twelfth Night’ both characters knew of their existence however at that time did not recognise each other and did not know who they were, however in our piece both characters although knowing each other did not know of their relationship with one another (being twins). ‘Twelfth Night’ forced the ‘sister’, Viola to dress up as a man in order to get a job to seek her brother however, in the modern version, sexism is not an issue now as they are both girls and they are both accepted for their diverse characters. Nowadays parents in a relationship both parents are often of the same status and importance, for example: job recognition, how they are treated by society; something that was not common in the past. In focus of culture, ‘Twelfth Night’ portrays Viola and Sebastian of having alike behaviour, this could be due to the fact that they were brought up together in the same circumstances however the behaviour of the two sisters in our play are completely opposite. One character is quiet and does not argue back whereas the other sister argues and is very feisty. The characters in our play ‘confusion’ are also brought up with different types of parents; one set of parents quiet and calm towards each other, the other a single mother in a ‘high flying’ job. This contrasts with ‘Twelfth Night’ as there women could not get a job and this mother has a great busy job, continuously dressed in suits. Even now; business people are still stereotypically thought of as being men however it has evolved considerably in the last 20 years. In our play there is the role of ‘the other women’ whom the father went off with when the original mother and father split up. This would be frowned upon in the 16th century as they are expected to put up with any grief or misery they encounter, not saying that all of them were unhappy; however now in the 21st century it is seen as acceptable and people believe that nobody should be treated differently and have more priority in a relationship and it is about both people regardless of their sex. People in the 16th century were expected to live with their husbands and act under and listen to whatever they said however now times have developed and changed considerably; women are much more independent; even though most society portrays a certain perspective there are always the odd character, in ‘Twelfth Night’ Olivia shows great independence and has the confidence to live her life alone however as society views women differently and inferior she felt the need to dress up as a man in order to get a job; and in ‘complications’ the ‘other woman’ shown is not as independent as the original mother. ‘Twelfth Night’ is a comedy, some characters more comical than others as with any drama; however our play ‘Complications’ although some comical events occur the drama is more of a serious nature, it was a play that showed the change of two young girls; when they found out that their parents had lied to them and there was more to them than what they were presented, for example the existence of their other twin and mother and father. In the plays there were some unrealistic scenarios given for example; if you saw your sister that you had spent your whole childhood with, dressed up as a boy you would be able to tell; as in ‘Twelfth Night’ and it is not very likely that your divorced parents would meet up and the father would not notice the same house when approaching it. Although not always realistic both story lines are effective and do have other meanings throughout them and still keep us gripped to the situation happening. Costumes in both plays are not similar but do reflect the times they were devised in. ‘Twelfth Night’ has costumes such as tights and long socks for men, something that you would not see in modern times and tight dresses for the women, finished with a big hairstyle and occasionally a hat; although this is seen now the dresses would not curve in as much at the waist nowadays. Mostly the people are dressed similarly to their stereotypical characters, following traditions of men in shirts and trousers, the butlers dressed in suits; similarly to modern times; maids dressed in petticoats, hair in a bun, and slightly ‘tatty’ clothing. In ‘Complications’ the children both dress according to their personal interests; this meaning one dressing in black, ‘punk’ clothing, the other in simple clothing without a particular ‘statement’ which is common in modern children. The mother; a high flying business woman, clothed in posh suits and her mobile phone an accessory to her outfit; the other mother and father mostly stick to jeans and smart clothing as well. That is another difference; in the 16th century a women would not be seen in trousers, a very common item of clothing nowadays. It is seen that the clothing worn by the characters also reflect their statuses and personalities. The themes in both plays are that two siblings are split up and at the end unite together; this is identical in both pieces. They also both use butlers of similar characteristics, although the sister whom the butler works for in ‘Complications’ is rather unpleasant to the butler, the well behaved, polite twin sister is very kind to him; similar to in ‘Twelfth Night’ in which Olivia and her butler get along however many of the other characters have a problem with him. In conclusion one could say that both drama performances have similarities and differences but it is what makes them both individual pieces, they also show different aspects of life and show different events very effectively. For example; ‘Twelfth Night’ shows many comical events as when Malvolio gets taken into a mental institute after being tricked by the other characters, and in ‘Complications’ when the twin living with the ‘step-mother’ confronts her, it is a very emotional scene but it is one that could happen in real life.