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Role of Dramatic Text in Performance

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With Reference to Two or More Examples Discuss the Role of Dramatic Text in Performance

The role of dramatic text in performance is not a question that has a simple, straightforward answer. A dramatic text is a text that has been written for it to be delivered by some form of media, for example theatre, film or television. A performance text on the other hand is a version of the dramatic text, which is what ultimately gets performed. Therefore, to put it simply, a performance text is a version of a dramatic text that has been annotated and altered for the actual performance. This complicates the role of dramatic text, as there can be various different performance texts just for one dramatic text. Therefore you have to question, after a certain period of time, if the performances turn further and further away from what the dramatic text is trying to convey? Considering William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which is such an ‘iconic text of world theatre’ (Lavender, 5), you can compare the role of the dramatic text when it was first published and performed in around 1603 with performances leading up to the present day. This is something which doesn't only differ depending on what time period it is being performed or how renowned the text is but it differs from performance to performance mainly because of the various different concepts the directors have with this singular play. However, factors such as the set or audience can also have a considerable effect. Nevertheless, ‘we have to develop Shakespeare’s plays, if we are to perform them at all’ (Elsom, 6). As time passes, new theories are put into place and old ones need to be revisited and updated, which may be as simple as modernising costume or having more set or it may be as lavish as imposing a whole concept on the play through the different elements of theatre. Dramatic text in performance can take on

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