2b theatre company. Canada. Suggested Curriculum Links: Year (Level 5-8)

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A work of art is not just the art object, the painting, the performance, the book, but also what that thing does with and in the minds, imagination and memory of the watching audience.

" Matthew Reason Senior Lecture in Theatre York St John University resource Pack the god that comes 2b theatre company Canada Suggested Curriculum Links: Year 12-13 (Level 5-8) Subject NCEA

1 A work of art is not just the art object, the painting, the performance, the book, but also what that thing does with and in the minds, imagination and memory of the watching audience. Our ambitions for young audiences should be for them to be active and empowered audiences." Matthew Reason Senior Lecture in Theatre York St John University resource Pack the god that comes 2b theatre company Canada Suggested Curriculum Links: Year (Level 5-8) Subject NCEA Achievement Standards Achievement Objectives (arts subject only) Drama 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7 Drama: L5&6-UC, CI/L7-UC/L8-UC, CI Music 2.6, 3.8, 3.10 Music: L5&6-UC, CI/L7&8-UC, DI, CI English 1.11, 2.10, 3.8, 3.9 NA Classical Studies 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5 NA festival.co.nz/schoolfest

2 Contents The Company and The Show o 2b theatre company o The Show o What Others Have Said Meet The Makers of The God That Comes Further Reading Reviews Your Curriculum Links Discussion Questions Let s Talk! Image: trudie lee

The company and the show 2b theatre 2b was founded in 1999 and is led by Artistic Directors Christian Barry and Anthony Black - The God that Comes is conceived and directed by Barry.

3 The company and the show 2b theatre 2b was founded in 1999 and is led by Artistic Directors Christian Barry and Anthony Black - The God that Comes is conceived and directed by Barry. They are based in Halifax, Canada. 2b are most interested in making work that explores the world around us and our experience of what it means to be. They choose to make work that has substance and ideas that are important to the way we as people see and experience ourselves, and our place in the universe. 2b audiences can expect unique and insightful interactions with stories woven from the fabric of our daily lives. The themes in our work range from economics to neuroscience to death and the immortal soul, all in the service of exploring life, and what it means to be. The show Co-created by Hawksley Workman and Christian Barry, The God that Comes is a rock n roll cabaret celebrating the god of wine and ecstasy, starring Hawksley Workman. Part play, part concert, all bacchanalian. It is a concept album for the stage, using Euripides The Bacchae as a primary source. Students will have the opportunity to see a very contemporary take on a classical work, telling the story of Bacchus (or Dionysus, god of wine). This solo performance fuses the chaotic revelry of a rock concert with the intimacy of theatrical storytelling. Hawksley plays all the characters and all the instruments. The show is a tonic for a society that has lost its sense of balance, and for a people that have lost touch with their animal instincts. The Set The God that Comes is generally performed in a cabaret style (see pictures). However, the show can be adapted to suit other venues, and this maybe the case for the presentation of The God that Comes at the New Zealand Festival 2016.

What others have said It s a tour de force performance that mesmerises with its deft wit and razor sharp humour The

4 This show has toured to prestigious venues including Toronto s Tarragon Theatre and the Stratford Festival, with international stops in Denmark, Scotland, Holland, and the US. What others have said It s a tour de force performance that mesmerises with its deft wit and razor sharp humour The Calgory Sun An outrageous theatrical adventure into the red-lit underbelly of sex, violence, Greek myth and regret It s an experience not to be missed. The Chronicle Herald, Nova Scotia

meet the makers of the god that comes Hawksley Workman Hawksley workman is a prolific songwriter, producer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, actor, and published author.

5 meet the makers of the god that comes Hawksley Workman Hawksley workman is a prolific songwriter, producer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, actor, and published author. His 12-year career has produced 18 albums, all ambitiously creative and defying category. The six-time nominated, two-time Juno award winner has enjoyed radio success in Europe and Canada and has written songs for celebrated artists the world over. Hawksley s touring career has seen him play nearly a thousand shows in over 15 countries. He s headlined prestigious venues like Massey Hall in Toronto and The Olympia in Paris, as well as opening for heroes Morrissey, David Bowie and The Cure. As an actor,workman has appeared in films such as Score, Hockey a Musical (he also wrote a portion of the music), Youkali Hotel and Stormy Weather. Beyond his own solo work, Hawksley has written songs for many feted artists, including legends Johnny Hallyday and Jane Birkin. In 2002 ECW press published Hawksley Burns for Isadora, a collection of fictional love letters to a mermaid. His new album, Old Cheetah, was released through Six Shooter Records in Christian Barry Christian Barry is a director, dramaturge, actor, writer and designer from Halifax, and a founding member and artistic co-director of 2b theatre company. Christian holds a BA (Honours) in Theatre from Dalhousie University, and is a graduate of the directing programme at the National Theatre School of Canada. Christian directed part two of The Mill cycle, which won the 2010 Dora Mavor Moore award for Outstanding Production (independent). He was also nominated for the Outstanding Director Dora that year. He has won two Theatre NS Merritt Awards for Outstanding Direction (eight nominations), one for Outstanding New Play, and one for Outstanding Lighting Design. He has also received more than 15 Merritt Award Nominations in several diverse categories. Christian received the 2008 Halifax Mayor s award for an Emerging Artist, and the Urjo Kareda residency grant at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto.

6 Further reading (trailer included on the homepage) Reviews mes_review.html

7 your curriculum links Which subjects does The God that Comes link to? Drama Music English Classical Studies How? The God that Comes uses The Bacchae by Euripides as its primary source. The Bacchae is a significant, historical and important work that clearly links to Drama, English and Classical Studies. The God that Comes brings it into a contemporary setting and is a strong piece for studying how a historical work can find context in our contemporary world. Music plays a large part of this piece, using the cabaret form of music performance. The writer/performer is primarily a musician himself with a very well established global music career. Subjects & Standards Read further for more specific information about how The God that Comes contributes to the following Achievement Standards: Drama Greek theatre is an important theatre form to study, as well as using it to look to the origins of theatre itself as a potential research topic. This piece is also a solo performance giving students a great opportunity to understand the form of this kind of work, deepening their understanding of the demands on a performer to hold the stage and audience alone. AS Demonstrate understanding of features of a drama/theatre form. AS Discuss a drama or theatre form or period with reference to a text. AS Interpret a prescribed text to demonstrate knowledge of a theatre form or period. Euripides is one of the most significant playwrights that ever lived. The Bacchae and his other works are well known and have stood the test of time. The God that Comes proves this and is also an example of a contemporary take on an historical work. Additionally, the makers of this piece are multidisciplinary. This piece offers a great opportunity to research and study an historical figure and their work, as well as an interesting international contemporary company. AS Demonstrate understanding of a significant play. AS Examine the work of a playwright. AS Demonstrate understanding of the work of a drama or theatre theorist or practitioner. Attending this show meets the following Achievement Standards for students attending live performance. AS Demonstrate understanding of the use of drama aspects within live performance.

8 AS Discuss drama elements, techniques, conventions and technologies within live performance. AS Demonstrate understanding of live drama performance. Music The God that Comes contains rock music in a cabaret-style form. It features the performance of an actor/musician, Hawksley Workman, who as well as playing multiple roles on stage plays several instruments throughout. Using a play as the primary source, there is scope here to investigate the influences and contexts involved in making music for live performance. AS Demonstrate knowledge of conventions in a range of music scores. AS Examine the influence of context on a substantial music work. AS Research a music topic. English The Bacchae by Euripides, among his other works, remains a critical piece of writing, exploring language less encountered in more contemporary works. Most of the words in a Greek play belonged to the chorus. Language in these plays was often used to provide a moral lesson for its audience as well as being a form of entertainment. AS Show understanding of visual and/or oral text(s) through close viewing and/or listening, using supporting evidence. AS Analyse aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close viewing and/or listening, supported by evidence. AS Respond critically to significant aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence. AS Develop an informed understanding of literature and/or language using critical texts. Classical Studies The Bacchae by Euripides is a classical text. The content of work by Euripides always dealt with the current social, political and value structure of the time. For students, The God that Comes is a great addition to further understanding various aspects of the classical world. AS Demonstrate understanding of ideas and values of the classical world. AS Examine ideas and values of the classical world. AS Analyse ideas and values of the classical world. AS Demonstrate understanding of social relationships in the classical world. AS Demonstrate understanding of significant ideology(ies) in the classical world.

9 Euripides is a significant historical and literary figure from the classical world, sustaining relevance in our time. He also included in his works his interpretation or characterisations of other historical figures of the time. AS Demonstrate understanding of an important historical figure in the classical world. The God that Comes is a contemporary take on the classical world. Students can use this show as a way to further understand how we can link aspects of classical culture in our world today, as well as how the classical world has had lasting influence on cultures across time. AS Demonstrate understanding of links between aspects of the classical world and another culture. AS Demonstrate understanding of the lasting influences of the classical world on other cultures across time.

10 discussion questions let s talk! These questions are a guide. They will be more appropriate for some ages and subjects than others. They are designed to provoke further discussion. What was this show about? What was the story? Could you relate to the show? How did you feel watching it? How successful was the performer in keeping the audience engaged throughout the performance? Discuss the form of solo performances. How did the performer use his body to create different moods and characters within the piece? How did the performer integrate text and music? What can you say/share about the writing? Did you follow it? What links can you make from the performance of this show to Greek theatre, the Classical period and its culture? What elements of Greek theatre and Classical culture still exists in our society today? What did you notice in the piece about Greek theatre form? Did the performer have presence? Discuss what stage presence is, and how we achieve it. What did you notice about staging, lighting, sound, music, costume and other production elements? How did the production elements support or enhance the performance? Was there anything you didn t like about the performances? Why? Were there parts of the performance you feel you didn t understand? Were there parts of the performances that really grabbed you? Why? What was your overall impression of the show? If you were to recommend the show to a friend, how would you describe it?

Riverside 2015 Education Program. Curriculum Links

Riverside 2015 Education Program Curriculum Links SHOW: The One Day of the Year Suitable for: Years 10-12 (Stages 5-6) Subject Links: History; Modern History; English 7-10; Drama 7-10 WARNINGS: Coarse