The Four Seasons Of Wounded Knee

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"The Four Seasons Of Wounded Knee" [[1]] is the generic title for a series of three plays written by Ralph Morse (actor) that explore the acting and staging techniques of four major theatrical practitioners. These dramas were written specifically in response to the needs of students and teachers of the Advanced Level General Certificate in Education (GCE) in Theatre Studies in England. First staged at Shenfield High School, Brentwood, England in November 1996 [1]

Image:Dr Ralph Morse.jpg

Contents

[edit] The Ghost Dance

[2]

Traces the final years of the policy of "Manifest Destiny" including Sioux Chief Sitting Bull's abortive journey to the Canadian province, the influence of Wovoka and evolution of the "Ghost Dance" and the final destruction of an ideal at "Wounded Knee".[3] Morse also wrote an original song and musical interludes drawn from ancient and contemporary Native Americana [4] The piece incorporates ritualistic elements and references the ideas of Antonin Artaud specifically "the theatre of cruelty" [5]

[edit] Malleus Maleficarum

[6]

Co-written with Morse's wife Carole, the title is taken from the medieval tome, "The Hammer of the Witches" [7], and follows self appointed Witchfinder General Mattthew Hopkins in his quest against the alleged witches of Colchester, Manningtree and Mistley in Essex, England.[8] Hopkins was an opportunist who was able to turn the backdrop of the English Civil War to his own financial advantage [9]. This play incorporates two original Morse songs based on period themes [10] and has an unfolding linear narrative with strong character development and is an ideal piece through which the units and objectives and the super-objective of Constantin Stanislavski can be explored.[11]

[edit] The Bridging Zone

[12]

Is a stylistic piece incorporating modern and classical imagery within an abstract environment that is outside time and space. Within this paradoxical setting masked characters judge mankind but are themselves puppets of a greater master.[13] Under the guidance of Councillor Xantro and the scientific poetry of Professor Poliodorus they must decide whether time-travel should be used to revisit and change history. The production draws much upon the staging ideas of Edward Gordon Craig[14]

[edit] Bertolt Brecht - The Missing Element

As a playwright of international reputation with a phenomenal body of work Bertolt Brecht is unique among the four practitioners explored here. It was therefore never intended that a new work should be written for the project, but rather that a lehrstucke (learning play) would be incorporated into the overall production between "Malleus Malificarum" and "The Bridging Zone. The staging methods employed were specifically Brechtian [15]

For the first performances of "The Four Seasons of Wounded Knee" held in England in 1996, "The Exception and The Rule" was presented although in subsequent productions this has varied.

[edit] The Links

[16]

Although originally intended as a complete work incorporating four separate linked dramas, both "The Ghost Dance" and "Malleus Malificarum" have been extended and performed as separate plays within their own right. The Links are themselves short comical interludes presented by two "Guides" during which the issues raised in one "Season" are reflected upon in preparation for the next drama. These are subtitled : The Chair, The Dream Catcher, You've Been Drinking! and Bar Room Balladeers (a song)[17] In an interesting twist the two "Guides" evolve into the characters of Adrapolianic and Castrophar in "The Bridging Zone" which reveals a darker purpose.[18] The role of Adrapolianic was played by Dan Wright (comedian) who would later achieve success in the theatre and on television.

[edit] References and Sources

  1. ^ "The Four Seasons Of Wounded Knee" at Shenfield High School - VHS Video film by All Media Works (1996
  2. ^ Ralph G. Morse's original annotated script of "The Ghost Dance (copyright 1996)"
  3. ^ Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown and published by Vantage books. History of the Native American in the Encyclopedia Britannica
  4. ^ "Young Can Take The Indian Off the Land ..." words and music by Ralph G. Morse (copyright 1996); Ghost Dance chant, Wounded Knee Theme - music by Ralph G. Morse (copyright 1996); Coincidences and Likely Stories by Buffy Sainte Marie (CD album); Sacred Heart - Traditional Native American Chants with contemporary musical arrangements (CD album)
  5. ^ "The Theatre and Its Double by Antonin Artaud and published by Calder (1985); Collected works Volume 4 by Antonin Artaud, translated by V.Corti and published by Calder (1974)
  6. ^ Ralph and Carole Morse's original annotated script of "Malleus Maleficarum" (copyright 1996)
  7. ^ "Malleus Maleficarum" aka "The Hammer of the Witches" by Heinreich Kramer and James Sprenger and translated by Montague Summers (Braken 1928)
  8. ^ The Witchcult in Western Europe by Margaret Murray (1921)
  9. ^ A Study of Matthew Hopkins by Montague Summers (Braken)
  10. ^ "Malleus Maleficarum" words and music by Ralph G. Morse (copyright 1996) and "The Legend Of..." words and music by Ralph G. Morse (copyright 1998)
  11. ^ Stanislavksi 3 Volumes - "My Life In Art", "An Actor Prepares" and "Building a Character" (Methuen 1993); "Stanislavksi, an Introduction" (1985) and "Stanislavski a Biography" (1990) both by Jean Norman Benedetti and published by Metheun
  12. ^ Ralph G. Morse's original annotated script of "The Bridging Zone" (copyright 1996)
  13. ^ Morse drew inspiration from "On the Art of the Theatre" by Edward Gordon Craig (including essay on the Actor and the Ubermarionette) (Heinemann 1956)
  14. ^ "Craig on the Theatre" by J M Walton (Metheun 1883); "Gordon Craig's Moscow Hamlet by L. Senelick (Greenwood 1982)
  15. ^ Brecht on the Theatre by J Willett (Metheun 1984); Understanding Brecht by W Benjamin (Verso 1992)
  16. ^ Ralph G. Morse's annotated scripts for the "Link" scenarios (copyright 1996)
  17. ^ Based on the original song "Bar Room Balladeers" words and music by Ralph G. Morse (copyright 1982) with new lyrics (copyright 1996).
  18. ^ Journalist Robert William's interview with Dr Ralph Morse held in the grounds of Colchester Castle 22nd June 2007

[edit] External links