Contextual Research - 16/10/12

Background Research
Prompted by Katie Mitchell's Directing approach to text.

The cast was split into four groups - they would research the following:

• Moira Buffini.
• Liberia - the context of the original production at the National Theatre.
• Thebes and Greek Mythology.
• Syria - the context of our production.

Explore Moira Buffini's background, so to understand the "big idea" of the play. What was her inspiration? What was she looking to achieve through the writing - what messages were intended?

Even though the production is focusing on Syria, it is important to accept and explore why Liberia was used as the original setting when first performed at the National Theatre. By doing so, we would gain a greater understanding of Moira Buffini's intentions through the writing of the play.

Another important focus was Greek Mythology. We needed to appreciate the relevance of "Thebes" and the Greek mythological names - what did the names mean and did this meaning give us more to go on when exploring the characters.

Research Syria as the chosen setting of our production. Only by doing so would we be able to form links between Syria and Liberia, and Syria and Thebes. We needed to know more about the climate of Syria so there is a clear understanding of the "given circumstances". Climate in a political; religious; geographical and social sense.

The research on Greek Mythology and Syria is on-going and these displays created in 905 will continue to grow.