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home
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Interested in getting into Berkoff?
What about trying:
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| reading plays |
East and Metamorphosis are good places to start. East uses verse and mine, see Chris Deacon´s review below. Metamorphosis adapts the Kafka story for the
stage, and shows Berkoff´s mastery of mime.
Decadence, Greek, The Trial, The Messiah. More
details are in the plays section of the site. Also
see the shop for plays and videos. |
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| study guide |
There
is a study guide to East and a glossary of
vocabulary. Go to the plays section of the site. |
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| performances |
Any. They are regularly performed especially by fringe groups. Recommended first plays to see are East, Metamorphosis and Shakespeare's Villains. Also two actors have worked a lot with Berkoff, and tour regularly:
Graft performed by George Dillon and Berkoff´s Women by Linda Marlow.
The latest news on performances is on the Hot News section of the
site. |
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| videos and DVDs |
East is
easily available. Berkoff directs but does not appear. It
is a very good filming of a live stage performance.
See the shop for this and other DVDs, videos and books. |
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| further reading |
Meditations
on Metamorphosis. How do you do a play about a man who
turns into a giant insect, without using costumes?
Berkoff´s diary about staging Metamorphosis in Japan,
with lots of good insights. Also try the links page
and skim till you find something that interests you. |
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films
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East is a good place to start. This is site visitor Chris Deacon´s view (thanks Chris): EAST by Steven Berkoff, Vaudeville Theatre London Various year ten and eleven drama students, including myself, were "bussed" up to London for the super performance of EAST on the 21 September 1999. However, to me, the play proved to be more than super; it was THE best piece of theatre I have ever seen. It was funny, I barely stopped laughing, it was completely unreal, a highlight of Bekoff's style and it was a fruitless journey through Eastend life.
The play had no real story line, it was more a series of sketches involving five memorable characters; Mum, played by a man- Edward Bryant, being my personal favourite. However, the others stood out in their own right; Les and Mike's (Matthew Callum and Christopher Middleton's) typically 'laddish' behaviour and walk; Sylv's (Tanya Frank's) seductive and frank manner and Dad's (Jonathan Linsley's) patriotic persona- constantly reminding those old enough to remember of 'days gone by'. There was no need for a big, fancy set as the actors dominated the stage. Not only did Berkoff write EAST but he also directed this version. This was very clear, as some of the scenes portrayed his vivid style; Les and Mike's motorbike being one of many. There are many aspects which are too rude to mention but when looked for a deeper meaning the play has a lot more to offer. The play exposes the view of Eastend life, in Berkoff's opinion; many aspects being very true, and others being exaggerated 'Berkoff style'. Overall the play EAST was an
excellent piece of entertainment with a deeper meaning
for those who wanted one. It was much more than I
anticipated and I will now be looking out for Steven
Berkoff and his play's in our local theatres. I recommend
this style of theatre, a combination of physical,
unnaturalistic and 'Berkoff' to anyone who can handle his
ideas being thrown at them at light speed. Or anyone who
wants to see a memorable play with a basic plot which
will keep you laughing- no end! |
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Click here for advanced Berkoff, including dissertations and an interview |
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