Cloud Nine: use of performance space
Cloud Nine: use of performance space
“Cloud Nine”: Use of Performance Space
Act 1
Spatial Representation:
- Act 1’s performance space is set to represent a British colonial outpost in Africa. The alien thing is not the remote corner of the British empire, but the imposition of European values and standards on it.
Symbolism through Space:
- The colonial household is representative of Britain’s colonial ambitions and its desire to extend its influence and control over foreign territories.
- The outdoor space used for the scenes involving Harry Bagley and Mrs. Saunders symbolises the trees of the African forests, indicating nature versus the rigidly controlled Victorian order.
Changes in Space:
- Frequent changes in space suggest the character’s continuous struggle against social norms and restrictions.
Act 2
Spatial Representation:
- Set in a London park, the performance space in Act 2 signifies the influence of time and cultural shift.
Symbolism through Space:
- The open, public park as a performance space contrasts with the closed, strictly regimented household in Act 1. It signifies a release of repressed sentiments and emergence of authentic identities.
Changes in Space:
- Characters have more freedom in the spatial arrangement in Act 2 compared to Act 1, indicating greater personal freedom and acceptance.
- The park often transitions into private spaces like a bedroom or a kitchen, symbolizing the blending of public and private spheres, in contrast to the strict separation in Act 1.
Understanding the use of performance space in “Cloud Nine” advances understanding of the dramatic representation of environment and settings. It helps track the narrative journey of characters across time and cultures, from colonial Africa to metropolitan England, while foregrounding the playwright’s themes of colonial power, gender conformity, and sexual identity.