Exploring themes ‘off the text’
Once you’ve identified the themes of your play, think about how you might explore them beyond what is already written. Start experimenting on your feet as soon as possible. Improvisation is a very good way to generate material and new ideas. Even if you don’t keep the work that you create, it can act as a stimulus for more ideas and stop you getting ‘stuck’. Remember it can take as long to discuss whether an idea will work as it does to try it out.
Taking the Keith Waterhouse play, Billy Liar, as an example, here are some ideas on how to get started.
Theme: Commitment
Idea 1: Billy can’t commit as he’s seeing three girls at the same time. You could create a slapstick comedy from his romantic situation with Billy trying to keep all three girls from meeting together.
Idea 2: Billy also can’t cope with his commitments to work or family. You could create a monologue with Billy explaining to the audience his fears of being tied down.
Theme: Fear
Idea 1: Billy loves Liz but is afraid of committing to her. You could devise a Physical theatre piece with Billy trapped between the three women advancing on him in all directions.
Idea 2: What about a flash-forward scene showing Billy and Liz as an unhappy middle-aged couple arguing? This would illustrate Billy’s fear of commitment.
Idea 3: Liz is also afraid of commitment which explains why she ran away to London. You could devise an improvised scene of Liz’s life in London. What made her leave?
