Earthquakes in London: development of pace and rhythm

Understanding Pace and Rhythm in the Drama

Pace and rhythm in Earthquakes in London play a significant role in creating tension and building a sense of urgency.
The play’s structure, pacing, and rhythm emphasise the theme of time passing, reflecting on how events unfold in real life.
The rhythm of dialogue and the sequence of events keeps the audience in suspense and intrigued at the sudden changes in pace.

The speed of dialogue handles the pace of the story, as scenes will speed up and slow down depending on the intent or the dramatic tension required.
The pacing fluctuates from highly energetic scenes to more quiet, introspective moments, reflecting the chaos and uncertainty of the situation.
The transitions between multiple time frames and settings affect the pace, creating a sense of disorientation or acceleration towards the climax.

The rhythm is influenced by the physical delivery of lines, the movement of characters on stage, and the length of scenes. This adds another layer of dynamics in the play.
Mike Bartlett effectively uses a varied rhythm as a theatrical technique to create and release tension in several parts of the drama.
The rhythm also helps convey the characters’ emotional states, with erratic or rapid speech indicating stress or fear, while slower, more deliberate speech can suggest contemplation or resignation.

The directorial duties demand an acute awareness of the rhythm and pace, translating the playwright’s vision onto the stage effectively.
Directors like Rupert Goold, who pioneered the first production of Earthquakes in London, worked with the globe-shaped stage and a digital running clock to influence pace and rhythm.
The manipulation of time through pace and rhythm provides ample room for directors and performers to experiment in various interpretations of the play.

Actors should be aware of how their dialogue delivery and physical actions can alter the pace and rhythm of a scene.
Understanding pace and rhythm allows performers to enhance expressions of their characters’ emotional state, and their reaction to situations.