Читать книгу Dark Voices Ring: Grade 12 Second Additional Language - Zakes Mda - Страница 4

Dark Voices Ring is a one-act play. There is no division into scenes as the setting remains the same throughout. The play itself is preceded by an introductory paragraph on key features of the genre, followed by notes on the following:

•What is drama?

•Character and characterisation

•Plot

•Structure

•Freytag’s pyramid

•Setting

•Stage directions

•Dialect

•Theme

The next section contains biographical notes about the playwright, Zakes Mda, an overview of the play, and ideas to consider both before reading and while reading.

A glossary is included at the end of the play, followed by questions on the play and the kind of contextual question to be expected in examinations. There is also an answer section against which all answers can be checked.

The obvious thing to do with this play is to read it as a text, just as you would if it were a short story or a novel. But it holds other possibilities as well:

•It could be read aloud, with two learners taking the speaking roles with a third playing the silent character, while the rest of the class follow along in their books as the audience.

•The class could be divided into groups of three to do a play reading independently but at the same time so as to make maximum use of time and so that everyone gets a chance to read aloud.

•It could even be staged, with auditions to choose the best cast, who will learn their parts by heart and perform for a wider audience than their classmates, with costumes and props on a set, just as the playwright intended.

•The play could also be the source of other activities in the classroom such as improvisation, role-play and writing.

Drama offers the possibility of enjoyment along with a growth in empathy, teamwork and language skills. We hope that this play will serve you in all these ways.