Wonder.Land − Learning Guide
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wonder.land − Learning Guide About This Guide ...............................................................1 Background Information ..................................................2 Contextual Information .............................................4 Teaching Information ........................................................5 Production Notes Key Design Elements ................................................5 Performance Style ...................................................11 Key Moments ...........................................................12 Plot Synopsis ...................................................................13 Find Out More ..................................................................23 1 wonder.land − Learning Guide About This learning guide supports the National Theatre’s production of wonder.land, created by Damon Albarn, Moira Buffini and directed by Rufus Norris. wonder.land opened on 11th December 2015 at the National’s Olivier Theatre in London. Our packs are designed to support viewing the recording on the National Theatre Collection. This pack provides links to UK school curriculum and other productions in the Collection. It also has a plot synopsis with timecodes to allow you to jump to a particular section of the play. Here you’ll also find all the information you need to enable you to study the production and write about it in detail. This includes notes about all of the key elements from performance style to design. You’ll also find pointers for further research. 1 wonder.land − Learning Guide Background Information Recording Date – 9th December, 2015 Location – Olivier Theatre, National Theatre Age Recommendation – 12+ (infrequent strong language) Cast MC (Cheshire Cat / Caterpillar) .........................Hal Fowler Aly .................................................................Lois Chimimba Bianca ...................................................... Golda Rosheuvel Matt .....................................................................Paul Hilton Dinah ............................................................... Witney White Kitty ................................................................... Abigail Rose Mary Ann .................................................... Stephanie Rojas Alice ............................................................... Carly Bowden White Rabbit .................................................. Joshua Lacey Ms Manxome ................................................Francolini Anna Luke Laprel ................................................. Enyi Okoronkwo Mr King ..........................................................Andrian Grove Dum ................................................................... Sam Archer Dee ................................................................. Leone Cooke Mouse ....................................................................Ed Wade Humpty ........................................................Daisy Maywood Dodo ..............................................................Ivan De Freitas Mock Turtle ...................................Cyndey Uffindell-Phillips WPC Rook ........................................................ Nadine Cox Ensemble .....................................................Simon Anthony Ensemble .........................................................Dylan Mason Ensemble ........................................................... Lisa Ritchie 2 wonder.land − Learning Guide Background Information Recording Date – 9th December, 2015 Location – Olivier Theatre, National Theatre Age Recommendation – 12+ (infrequent strong language) Music Music Director / Piano / Keyboard 1 .............Tom Deering Piano / Keyboard 2 ............................................Ian Watson Violin / Acoustic Guitar / Ukulele / Banjo ...........................................Sarah Freestone Percussion / Kit ................................................Tony McVey Electric Bass ............................................... Timothy Harries Electric Guitar .................................................... Simon Tong Flute / Piccolo / Alto Saxophone / Bass Flute................................................... Stephanie Rojas Clarinet / Bass Clarinet /Soprano, Baritone & Tenor Saxophones .................... Carly Bowden Creatives Director ............................................................ Rufus Norris Writer .................................................................Moira Buffini Music .............................................................. Damon Albarn Set Designer ........................................................Rae Smith Lighting Designer ..................................... Paula Constable Sound Designer ................................................. Paul Arditti Costume Designer ......................................Katrina Lindsay Choreographer ...........................................Javier de Frutos Puppet Design 'Charlie' ......................................Toby Olié 3 wonder.land − Learning Guide Background Information Recording Date – 9th December, 2015 Location – Olivier Theatre, National Theatre Age Recommendation – 12+ (infrequent strong language) Other productions in the NT Collection featuring members of the same creative team Productions Artist Small Island Rufus Norris - Director Small Island, Dara Katrina Lindsay - Designer Translations Rae Smith - Designer Peter Pan Toby Olié - Puppetry One Man, Two Guvnors, Julius Caesar Paul Arditti - Sound Designer A Streetcar Named Desire Contextual Information The story of Alice in Wonderland has been adapted countless times. This is a very modern version which updates the idea of ‘escape’ into computer games. The issue of cyber bullying with Dinah and her friends is one of the elements that updates this story into the twenty first century. 4 wonder.land − Learning Guide Production Notes The following notes have been compiled to help guide you through the significant design and performance aspects as you watch the production, or to remind you of them after you have watched it. You may also want to make your own notes and form your own opinions on the effectiveness of these aspects as you explore the production. Key Design Elements: Set • Considerable use of the cyclorama for projections. • Very stylised, non-naturalistic set using the full stage. A number of different trucks are used to ensure transitions are quick so that the pace and energy of the production is not lost. • Ally’s real world is grey, black and white. It provides a sense of drudgery, monotony and lack of excitement. In strong contrast, the Alice online environment uses neon colours, shimmering fabrics and bright lights to create a sense of excitement and magic, and link to the online world that inspires it. • Wall trucks are used to create the class room walls. • Automation is used to bring on items of set such as tables and chairs (for the tea scene), the MC’s arm chair and the skyscraper at the opening of the show. 5 wonder.land − Learning Guide Production Notes • Other items of set are moved by the ensemble. By using the cast, the scene changes are fast-paced and seamless, meaning the audience can continue to suspend their disbelief (this is not interrupted by long blackouts etc). • Wall trucks also provide a variety of surfaces on which to project. • Ally’s bedroom is signified by a bed frame, on which is a mattress and pillows. The bedclothes have elements of bright colours on – the duvet cover has a print made of large pink buttons. Key Design Elements: Costume • Katrina Lindsay’s costume designs take current fashions into account. • Alice wears a blue dress over a white blouse which is suggestive of the image of Alice we are used to from the Disney animation. However, the fabric is a silky, shimmering blue, and her shoes (which look like heeled Mary Jane shoes, again like the Disney cartoon) are similar to those designed by couture fashion designers. Alice’s skirt is tutu shaped with ruffle pants underneath, and the ‘petticoat’ underneath Alice’s skirt is formed of diamonds, rather like the pleats from a Chinese lantern. Alice wears a red dress in Act Two – the same shape and details as the blue one worn in Act One. 6 wonder.land − Learning Guide Production Notes • Ms Manxome’s suit is a houndstooth check, with a matching bow around her neck and a red dress underneath. • The shapes of many of the costumes involve sharp points, for example collars and shoulders, whilst others are much rounder in shape creating circular images with the use of mutton leg sleeves. • The White Rabbit wears a white long-sleeved leotard, white tights and white pantaloons – the lines of his costume tend to be curved, in contrast to the sharp angles of Ms Manxome’s costume. The mask and headpiece that the White Rabbit wears includes two ‘ears’ made of white material similar in shape to long balloons • The Caterpillar wears a full body suit of green and silver (hints of metallic colour, similar to tinsel). Members of the ensemble wear globe-shaped body suits which cover from neck to mid-thigh, in the same material. They are wide enough that only their hands emerge from the side of their bodies (we cannot see the rest of their arms). When they line up behind each other, the effect is the creation of the caterpillar’s long body. The Caterpillar’s headpiece includes antennae and eyes that light up in a bright white colour. The headpiece allows us to the see the actors face, which is made pale with makeup. • The ensemble wear