THE ANALYSIS

Now it is time to enrol yourself as a script detective in order to analyse your selected play. This will also be the start of your prompt book.

First Reading:

• Undertaken during your conceptualisation phase.

Second Reading:

• Break the script down into Units* and give each of your Units a title to describe them. An Activity

Third Reading:

• Break your Units down into Beats* and give them an Active Verb to inform you what the characters do in that Unit. An Example

Fourth Reading:

• Make a chart listing each Unit and Beat.
• Read through each Unit and list what character is in each Beat in your chart.

Fifth Reading:

• Make a list of all of the different 'places' that the play occurs in.
• Make a list of all of the 'properties' and 'sets' that are used in the play.
• Make a list of all of the 'sounds' that occur in the play.

A Unit is a discrete piece of action in a play-text, marked by a significant change in action, mood, intension and/or place. A Unit can have a number of different Beats. Beats are characters objectives. Dividing scripts into Units makes it more manageable and thus easier to rehearse.