Unit 104 Special Subject Investigation 3

Love Song (Frantic Assembly) notes

I have taken notes on this Frantic Assembly production because it is a non-naturalistic production, therefore I can compare this to The Seagull. I will do a summary slide on both Frantic Assembly productions and use this to fuel my conclusion

General notes

• Long time with no dialogue 
• Just old man on stage listening to music with headphones in 
• Slow piano music 
• Cuts out when he reaches for post it note on fridge and takes headphones out 
• Different music introduced when monologue begins 
• Static monologue 
• Other characters enter 
• Old man acknowledges them 
• Younger version of the old man 
• Backdrop used in transitions 
• Mix between a movie and a theatre performance style 
• Main title projected in the background 
• Old man and wife enter 
• Smart transition as old wife swaps out for younger version 
• String music introduced as contact improvisation between young couple 
• While old couple get on with normal tasks (reading and drinking) 
• Changing in proxemics with the chair downstage center 
• Comedy used to contrast serious issues 
• Relatable to the audience 
• Kiss used to transition to old wife monologue sitting on bed 
• Very nostalgic monologue - thinking of past 
• Contact movement on kitchen table 
• Old wife is watching to interlink scenes 
• Old wife falls into the contact improv 
• Backdrop projection causing a mysterious feel 
• Matched with the music 
• Young couple in tableaux while old couple talking 
• Blue tint light 
• Spotlight 
• Stage covered in leaves for a sense of realism 
• Simple set 
• Bed, leaves, table and chairs, fridge 
• Change in costume (clearly come from work) 
• Contact improvisation between young wife and old husband 
• Used to show his memories are walking away from him 
• Music is used throughout the play - sets the tone 
• Funny rant but with a serious message 
• Monologue about time travel - ironic with the style of the piece 
• Projection of hand running against a wall during duologue between old couple 
• Later referenced in speech 
• Man falls through bed 
• Young wife appears from the bed 
• Direct audience address 
• Change of set - moving the table