The Long and the Short and the Tall: Performers' vocal interpretation of character (accent, volume, pitch, timing, pace, intonation, phrasing, emotional range, delivery of lines)

The Long and the Short and the Tall: Performers’ vocal interpretation of character (accent, volume, pitch, timing, pace, intonation, phrasing, emotional range, delivery of lines)

Characterisation through Voice

  • Mood Conveyance and Emotional Range - Each character’s accent, tone, pace and intonation should enrich their emotional depth, such as fear, anger or urgency.

  • Pace and Timing - Characters like Corporal Johnstone who hold authority might use a slower, steadier delivery to exert control and dominance. Quick pace or abrupt pauses can display anxiety, nervousness, or hesitation.

Class Distinctions and Regional Accents

  • Importance of Accents - Accents are fundamental to the play. They not only indicate the regional origins of the characters, but help distinguish their class and social status.

  • Individual Characters’ Accents - Private Bamforth’s strong Cockney mannerisms serve as a language of defiance, Sergeant Mitchem’s downplayed accent may indicate control and authority, while the posh, public school accent of Private Whitaker suggests a privileged but out-of-place character in the harsh reality of war.

Pleasing and Jarring Sounds

  • Effective Use of Volume - Characters might use a loud volume to express anger or frustration, while a softer volume might symbolise fear, insecurity or submission.

  • Phrasing and Intonation - The manipulation of phrasing and intonation can create a certain rhythm to the dialogue, providing an opportunity to enhance the dramatic effect of each line and to guide the audience’s emotional response.

Physical Manifestation of Emotional State

  • Visualising Tension, Nervousness, or Respect - Knott’s constant stutter, caused by nervousness and fear, contrast sharply with Sergeant Mitchem’s clear, confident speech.

  • Capturing Character Psychology through Voice - A performer’s vocal interpretation informs the audience about the character’s mental state. For example, Private Bamforth’s sardonic and irreverent comments, and his macho, resentful address towards his authority figures reflect his rebellious nature.

Underlining the Dichotomy with the Prisoner

  • Language Barrier - The presence of a prisoner who doesn’t speak English introduces a communication barrier, setting the soldiers apart and deepening the existing divisions among them.

  • Intentional Misinterpretations - Bamforth’s intentional misinterpretation of the prisoner’s rudimentary English further emphasises the divide, exhibiting the soldiers’ morality and their attitudes towards their captive.