Stockholm: theatrical conventions of the period

Stockholm: theatrical conventions of the period

Overview of Theatrical Conventions in Stockholm

• ‘Stockholm’ challenges the traditional theatrical conventions, thereby pushing the boundaries of what is considered theatre.
• Atypical of plays falling within the modernist and postmodernist periods, Bryony Lavery infuses elements of dance, music, and physical theatre, combined with spoken text.
• Despite embracing multifaceted theatrical conventions, the play retains certain traditional narrative elements.

Use of Multi-Media Elements

• Stockholm steps outside standard conventions by incorporating multi-media elements, enhancing emotional resonance and engaging various senses.
• Lavery uses video projections as a powerful tool to provide background information, add visual depth, and create nuanced layers of dramatic tension.

Adoption of Physical Theatre

• Physical theatre is a defining characteristic of ‘Stockholm’, blending movement, dance, and mime with elements of traditional drama.
• It reflects the organic and often chaotic development of Kali and Todd’s relationship.
• Lavery uses physical theatre to illustrate the devastating nature of their relationship and to communicate moments of extreme, tumultuous emotion that dialogue alone might fail to capture.

Use of Dance and Choreographed Sequences

• Lavery utilises dance sequences and tightly choreographed movements to elaborate plot progression, conflict, and resolution.
• These sequences are intertwined within the drama, skillfully revealing the dichotomy of control and freedom, love and loathing.
• The embedded choreography hinges on precision, reflecting the claustrophobia and meticulously choreographed reality of an abusive relationship.

Role of Music and Sound Effects

• In a deviation from standard theatrical norms, ‘Stockholm’ employs a dynamic soundscape to signify shifts in time, place, and emotional states.
• Sound effects, including ambient noises and music, plunge the audience deeper into the psychological state of the characters and their claustrophobic world.

Unique Merging of Genres

• ‘Stockholm’ stands out in its blending of various genres - drama, dance, physical theatre, and multi-media - creating a distinctive dramatic form.
• This seamless fusion of genres crafts a multi-sensory experience that heightens audience immersion and emotional engagement.

Impact on Audience Interpretation

• The unique combination of varied theatrical conventions adds complexity to ‘Stockholm’, prompting audiences to think critically and engage on emotional, intellectual, and sensory levels.
• By incorporating a mix of conventions, Lavery expands the aesthetic experience and deepens the audience’s perceptual understanding of the intricate dynamics between Kali and Todd.