LEARNING RESOURCE PACK → THE CLIMBING TREE By Rachael Coopes

→ AUDIENCE ADVICE The Climbing Tree contains: • Coarse language • Mild sexual references → ACTIVITY: LOCAL TALES • Drug use Research, Creative Writing, Drama • References to domestic violence and neglect The Climbing Tree is described as being ‘part Visit atyp.com.au/productions and check signs at ghost story’ as it features non-naturalistic the venue for updated advice. elements reminiscent of famous tales about listless spirits who haunt the places where they have unfnished business. In this exercise, you’ll → CURRICULUM LINKS draw inspiration from your town’s history to spin Suitability: Stages 5 & 6 a unique ghost story steeped in the legend of English: Text type: Dramatic Play, Australian your home. Literature, Indigenous Australian Stories Drama: Contemporary Australian Drama 1. Research a local landmark in your town. It History: Indigenous Australian History, European could be something man-made, like a statue Colonisation or building, or something natural like a forest or mountain range. It could even be Stage 5 English EN5-1A, EN5-4B, EN5-6B, something that would seem normal to most EN5-7D, EN5-8D people but which to locals has special Drama 5.3.1, 5.3.2, 5.3.3 signifcance. History HT5-3 2. Taking inspiration from your research, write a Stage 6 English EA11-1, EA11-2, EA11-3, EA1-4, fctional story about a local legend connected Prelim EA11-5, EA11-7, EA11-8 to that landmark. Consider some of the Drama P2.1, P2.2, P2.6, P3.1, P3.4 features of the Gothic genre to help you set the tone. History MH11-3, MH11-4, MH11-5, MH11-7 Stage 6 English EA12-1, EA12-2, EA12-3, EA12-4, 3. In groups, choose one story to bring to life. HSC EA12-5, EA12-7, EA12-8 Choose three key moments from the story Drama H3.4 and create a tableau for each. Try to identify moments of the greatest drama or that signal History MH12-3, MH12-4, MH12-5, a signifcant moment in the unfolding story. MH12-7

Learning across the curriculum: Aboriginal and 4. Present your tableaux to another group and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, see if they can guess which moments you Intercultural understanding, Personal and social chose, then discuss each groups choices and capability what is interesting about their tableaux. FEATURES OF THE GOTHIC GENRE The Climbing Tree: A distinctive tree in the • Familiar settings and situations distorted to seem centre of Bathurst. As it’s name suggests, it is unfamiliar or frightening very popular for climbing. Supernatural creatures (ghosts, zombies, vampires, • Mount Panorama: A well-known motor racing etc.) circuit situated atop a hill with the dual ofcial • Psychological horror (like unexplained noises, a names of Mount Panorama and Wahluu. The glimpse of something in the corner of your eye or the name Wahluu translates to ‘young man’s initiation place’. sure feeling you’re being watched…) • An tone of mystery, suspense and dread. St Stanislaus College (AKA Stannies): A • Curses, omens, dark pacts and prophesies Catholic boarding school built in the distinctive style of the Victorian era, hence the reference • A well-drawn, detailed setting that contrasts, to ‘Hogwarts’ in the script. compliments or amplifies the terror The Ribbon Gang: A group of escaped convicts-turned-bushrangers led by Englishman Ralph Entwistle. The gang clashed with local TABLEAU TIPS troopers in a series of skirmishes which became Consider the following when creating your tableaux: known as the Bathurst Rebellion (1830). • Proximity (distance between performers) Wiradjuri (People & Nation): The Wiradjuri are • Levels (highness and lowness) the largest First Nations group in NSW whose • Directionality (where you’re facing or looking) traditional land spans a massive area in central- • Physical mirroring or contrast western NSW, including Bathurst, Dubbo, Albury and Grifth.

→ LOCAL REFERENCES : A famous Wiradjuri warrior and resistance leader who led his people in the The Climbing Tree is packed with references to frontier confict known as The Bathurst War the town in which it is set, Bathurst NSW. Here’s (1822-24), after rapid increases in the rate of a short list of defnitions to help you immerse European settlement put pressure on the yourself in the world of the play. natural resources of his peoples’ homeland. ‘Annie’s’ (AKA Annie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlour): A popular and long-running ice cream parlour located in the heart of Bathurst.

Bathurst, NSW: A regional city in the Central Tablelands of NSW and the oldest inland town in .

Blue Mountains: A section of the Great Dividing Range that forms the border between greater Sydney and the Central NSW region.

Bora: A sacred ceremonial site often marked by two circles (commonly formed from stones or moulded earth) connected by a pathway. The is used in ceremonies including the initiation of young men. → ACTIVITY: WRITE A REVIEW elements (light, sound costume etc.) Were Critical Refection, Appreciating Drama they efective in your opinion? • The performances given by the actors. Reviews are an important part of theatre • The appropriateness of the design elements criticism and a useful way to process your and style of direction to the themes and genre thoughts about a performance you’ve just of the play. watched. The best reviews give the reader a • Your recommendation (or not) and an overall sense of what was impactful about a rating. performance balanced by the reviewer’s unbiased refection on the relative success of all the elements of the production. REMEMBER: When giving your personal opinion, Make sure your review includes: always try to justify it with examples from the • The details of the performance (where, when performance and weigh it against your personal tastes. and by whom) • A short, spoiler-free, synopsis of the plot • A description of the overall style and tone of the piece Write your own review of The Climbing Tree and Provide your objective analysis of: email it to [email protected]. We’ll publish • The mood and atmosphere that was created the best ones on our website! by the performers, direction and design

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