The Long and the Short and the Tall: development of pace and rhythm

Development of Pace and Rhythm

Pace

‘The Long and The Short and The Tall’ uses fluctuating pace to parallel the different stages of war, displaying calm before the storm, the fury of combat and the aftermath.
Pause is a significant tool used by the playwright to manipulate the pace of the dialogue and actions in the play. These pauses increase the tension amongst audience and the characters.
The pace quickens dramatically in scenes of conflict and action, replicating the disorienting and frenzied pace of war times. This implies war’s chaotic and unpredictable nature.

Rhythm

Varying rhythm through differing patterns of speech, varying sentence lengths and contrasting periods of silence and explosions of noise is crucial in maintaining audience engagement and demonstrating the volatile war environment.
The dialogue often reflects the characters’ mental states, with short, choppy sentences indicating stress or panic, and longer, flowing sentences denoting more calm or introspective moments.
Rhythm in the play also is impacted by stage directions. Usage of stillness or contrasts between moments of high and low activity highlight the tense and unpredictable conditions.

Interplay of Pace and Rhythm

The interplay of pace and rhythm plays a key role in building tension, creating emotional impact and driving the plot forward. It replicates the fluctuating intensity of real-life war situations.
Periods of sharply paced, staccato dialogue can escalate the tension, while longer periods of rhythmically steady dialogue can allow for calmer scenes of exposition or character development.
The play’s climax involves a rise and fall in pace and rhythm reflecting the soldiers’ escalating panic and the ultimate, tragic conclusion. It emphasizes the stressful, high-stake conditions of war.