Notesale: Turn your study into money

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With reference to East (1974), to what extent is Steven Berkoff’s work post-modern?

Berkoff takes a stand against naturalism in his play East, he uses a range of
past styles to create a new form using intertextuality and a collaboration of art
forms
...

East uses past styles and influences to create something new that is post
modern
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Les and Mike and later the other members of
their family tell stories building up a picture of their life
...

The use of verse gives an effective and shocking tone when juxtaposed with
the Cockney profanities e
...
Les says of Sylv, “I told her to get to a nunnery,
in other words piss off”
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The characters also
refer to the past throughout the play; in the first scene Mike says ‘I do bestride
Commercial Road like a colossus’
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There are further classical references to Ancient
Greece; ‘the sight that sent Penelope mad’ and ‘the girth of a Cyclops to stun
to stab screams like Attila
...
In
contrast to the classical references, verse and poetry, East uses Cockney
rhyming slang e
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‘Minces’ means eyes and ‘North and South’ refers to the
Mouth
...

East involves many references to the past and uses other practitioners and
their techniques to create a post modern approach to working class northern
life
...
Scene 8 is an example of this as the
family act out going to a fair ground and going on different types of rides such
as dodgems, rollercoasters and a carousel
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In scene 12, Les becomes a motorbike by
bending over and holding his arms up, while Mike sits on his back
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Personification
is an element of post modernism due to its abstract and visual imagery
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The simultaneous voices reflect
the community of East End London
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Artaud described the spiritual in
physical terms, and believed that all theatre is physical expression in space
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One critic called it ‘filthy beyond the call of duty’ but audiences laugh and
identify with the world he portrays and also feel a sense of disgust
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East uses a collaboration of art forms which is a post modern approach
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End, Cockney songs
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East predominantly uses physical theatre with the mime and
characterisations to make a full impact on the audience
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It is a formal play however it
is dependent on the physicality, mime and vocal skills of the actors,
suggesting that they had their own interpretations in the rehearsal process
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He combines Kafka’s stark prose with Lecoq’s
highly disciplined physical expression and Artaud’s desire to explore
extremes of sensory experience
...
g
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Berkoff states that ‘total theatre’ seeks to attract an
almost spiritual response from the audience through using all the resources
of theatre including athletic actors
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Another post-modern element of
East is the use of intertextuality which invites the audience in and lets
them engage in the recognisable references
...

There are many references to London, including Jack the Ripper,
“Whitechapel, the self same street where blessed Jack did rip and tear”
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It is therefore studied in schools and universities since you can
analyse many of his techniques and social comments
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The play features social comments from the characters and they discuss
shocking themes, each character representing a different view point which
is post modern
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Mum is ignored and has to put up with Dad’s
grotesque behaviour, as well as his sexist view points such as his speech
about the Battle of Cable street which was a confrontation between fascist
supporters and left-wing supporters in to 1930s in which he agrees with
them
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Berkoff presents a different view point to Cartwrights working
class who are politically conscious and active
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In conclusion, East’s post modern comedy is based on the diversity of
images, rapidly and sharply drawn, a wide range of recognisable contexts,
music, language and sharp satirical messages
...
However, some could
say that his work is style over content since the audience is impressed with
the actors and their ability to perform the physical theatre techniques but
they don't leave the play feeling overwhelmed by the overall message

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