The Long and the Short and the Tall: use of performance space

Conceptualisation of Space

The play, ‘The Long and the Short and the Tall’, makes intricate use of the performance area to translate the confined setting of a tin hut in the Malayan Jungle.
This restricted space emphasises the characters’ isolation and the consequent heightened tensions among them.
Actively utilising the performance space also creates a sense of claustrophobia and the soldiers’ entrapment in their current predicament.

Spatial Hierarchy

A spatial hierarchy within this performance space effectively represents the military ranking and dynamics between the characters.
This becomes evident as Sergeant ‘Mitch’ Mitchem often stands at a higher level, indicating his status, while Private Sam Whitaker frequently resorts to corners, reflecting his vulnerable position.
By establishing the characters’ spatial positions, the production can visually mirror their roles and relationships within the group.

Character Movement and Positioning

Movement and positioning of the characters play a significant role in expressing their emotional states and social dynamics.
Tense moments, such as when Lance Corporal MacLeish confronts the others about the radio, bring the characters physically closer, emphasising their interpersonal conflict.
The characters’ distancing or moving towards each other in various instances can suggest their changing relationships, evolving alliances or growing tensions.

Use of Props and Set Design

Props and set design are integral in creating the authentic scene of a wartime jungle outpost in the performance space.
Key props like the captured radio and the magazine found in the Japanese soldier’s pocket serve as focal points within the space, driving key actions and escalating conflicts.
The set design of the shabby hut, filled with military equipment, enables the audience to visualise the harsh conditions of war and the soldiers’ struggles, further enhancing the narrative’s visual appeal.

Interaction with Audience

Despite its realistic setting, the production can make use of a fourth wall separation between the performance space and audience, emphasising the play’s presentation.
However, certain productions may choose to break the fourth wall intermittently, allowing characters to connect directly with the audience and heightening the overall dramatic impact.
These interactions can make the audience empathise with the characters’ inner struggles and dilemmas, thereby intensifying the play’s emotional appeal.