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by Anya Reiss Directed by Fraser Corfield

australian theatre for young people presents

This Resource Package has been designed as a classroom tool to assist with the

preparation, viewing, evaluation and analysis of the Australian Theatre for Young

People’s (atyp) production of Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss.

The notes and activities have been divided into three components:

Before you see Spur of the Moment

Behind the Scenes Spur of the Moment

After you see Spur of the Moment

They are designed for students from Years 11-12; however some of the activities could

be adapted for younger year groups.

We hope you find these activities useful and that they enhance your creative arts

experiences in the classroom.

Adèle Jeffreys and Heather Clark

Education Managers

Australian Theatre for Young People

atyp Education brings a new world of Drama

experience to your students. Melding the buzz of new

technology, hands-on creative arts experiences and

rigorous learning – we create activities to delight

students of all ages.

Our programs are about tailoring creative solutions for

teachers. Rather than one-size-fits-all workshops and

residencies, we make sure each experience meets your

specific needs. Our specialist Arts educators, Heather

and Adèle, will work with you to create an experience

that’s perfect for your class. So whether you bring your

class to us at the Wharf or we bring Sydney’s top artists

to you – let atyp Education be the first place you turn to

for inspiration and support in drama education.

table of contents

before you see Spur of the Moment

the title

writing

the performance:

Behind the scenes of Spur of the Moment

the creative team & cast

the design presentation

the design process: set

the design Process: LX design and cues

Spur of the Moment: on stage

after you see Spur of the Moment:

Written Response

initial reaction

the elements of drama

writing a review

Practical Response

ethics: conscience alley

acknowledgements

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Y 4

before you see

Spur of the Moment

the title: Spur of the Moment

brainstorm

In the space below write the first 10 words that pop into your head

practical task

In groups of 4, pick a word from your lists as the starting point for an improvisation.

Do not think about it too much, just go with it.

extension

Think about the things you have done in your life that were just a spur of the

moment thing. How did they make you feel? Act? What were the

consequences?

Discuss your favourite situation with your group.

Develop into a scene and present to the class.

discussion

What do you think will happen “spur of the moment”

in the play?

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writing

Writer Anya Reiss was 17 when she wrote Spur of the Moment. She wanted to convey

the tragic circumstance of two people who could not be together, much like

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

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brainstorm

In the space below write other situations where two people could not be together:

Use this brainstorm as the starting point for a

piece of free association writing. Do not

think about the plot, words or characters,

just write and see what comes out!

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behind the scenes

Spur of the Moment

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the design presentation Before a production gets into full swing here at atyp we have a design presentation for

cast, creative and staff.

Designers present to the team in a variety of ways, some make models and present

hand-drawn sketches, others present 3D rendered designs.

Our designer Adrienn is

using a 3D virtual model to

present the plans for the

set. He then presents hand

sketched drawings for the

costume designs.

How do you

like to

design?

challenge

Have a think about how

you like to present your

creative ideas to others.

Are you a drawer or

sketcher? Do you like to

get objects, fabrics and

tactile things to present

your ideas? Do you prefer

digital designs?

Using your individual

project, challenge

yourself to present in a

variety of ways.

Present your ideas to the

class using more than one

method of design.

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the design process: set The set design was done digitally for Spur of the Moment. This still involved the traditional

design process of sketching initial ideas, developing into 3D plans and full colour,

rendered designs.

the design process:

LX design and cues

Spur of the Moment on stage:

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after you see Spur of the Moment

written responses

initial reaction What was your initial reaction to the performance? What sticks out in your mind?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Would you recommend the reading to a friend? Why / why not?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

elements of drama Comment on how the reading used the elements of drama:

Tension: Where were the moments of tension in the play?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Which moment held the most tension for you? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Recreate the tension in the moment as a tableau.

Focus: How did the director draw the audience's focus to the action in each

scene?________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

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Identify a moment that was really successful.____________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Space: How did the actors use the stage space?_______________________________

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What was the most interesting aspect of the use of space? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

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Symbol

Can you identify any symbols/motifs used in the production?

______________________________________________________________________________

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What were the most successful symbols used?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Mood / Atmosphere

Describe the mood of the piece at the beginning, middle and end of the play.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Where were the high points in the performance?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

How did you feel at the end of the performance? Why?

______________________________________________________________________________

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What devices were used to create mood throughout the performance?

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Draw a mood map that shows the emotional journey of Delilah:

Why do you think Reiss chose to end the play like this?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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A review is an important part of theatre criticism. It gives an account of the production with the

writer's opinion of the success of the performance.

Become an atyp theatre critic! Use the scaffold below to write a review of Spur of the Moment.

Send it to adele@atyp.com.au we'll publish well written reviews on our website.

How to write a review:

Remember to:

paint an accurate picture of the production for someone who has not been there

give a personal opinion about the success of the performance

You may wish to approach your review writing by following guidelines:

State the details of the production, where, when, by who.

A synopsis of the plot (without giving away the ending!!!).

Background of the play, importance of the production (is it the first production of the play?

Has it been performed many times before?).

Information about the style, genre of the piece.

Analysis of the mood and atmosphere created by the cast/designers.

Analysis of the choices of the director.

Analysis of the performances of the actors.

Analysis of set, costume, lighting and design aspects and how these relate to the themes of

the play.

Your personal opinion supported by examples to justify your opinion.

Recommendation and / or overall rating.

Remember make it concise and clear.

Try to write your review in 300 words

We look forward to receiving your reviews!

Keep reading for more reviews of Spur of the Moment

after you see Spur of the Moment

writing a review

Review: SPUR OF THE MOMENT

The Australian Theatre for Young People’s (ATYP) enter-

prising Artistic Director Fraser Corfield has chosen well in

presenting, and in this case directing, British playwright

Anya Reiss’s debut play SPUR OF THE MOMENT, writ-

ten when she was just seventeen years old. The play premi-

ered at London’s Royal Court in 2010, directed by Jeremy

Herrin, and is now having its Australian premiere season.

Reiss, brought out by ATYP, was in the audience for open-

ing night.

The talented young playwright throws in plenty of fuel to

get her play firing. We are taken into the world of a strug-

gling middle class family at a very tense time. Wife Vicky

has just found out that her husband Nick has been having an

affair with her work boss and is on the war path.

The Evans family are having trouble meeting their mortgage

repayments. For this reason they have installed a lodger in

the house, 21 year old University student Daniel. Their pre-

cocious daughter Delilah is about to turn thirteen, and is a

handful. Even more so, she is showing signs that she

quite fancies Daniel….

Corfield’s production is strong all round. Adrienn Lord’s

set is cleverly set up with its open plan view. We- the audi-

ence-see into the main rooms in the family home, all well

detailed,- the kitchen, the living room and Daniel and Deli-

lah’s bedrooms. Whilst the main action takes place in one

room, we get to see what other characters are doing- in their

own time, so to speak…

The show features an impressive cast who each inhabit their

characters well.

The talented young ATYP trained actors are aided by hav-

ing two very experienced actors in the senior roles, includ-

ing Felix Williamson, himself ATYP trained. as father Nick.

Williamson delivers a relaxed, confident performance as the

straightlaced, awkward, goofy, Nick. Zoe Carides plays his

fraught, highly strung, hyper wife, Vicki.

Holly Fraser gives a strong performance in the main role as

their precocious daughter Delilah, who is attempting to

jump the transition from childhood to womanhood. Holly’s

scenes with Joshua Brennan, impressive as lodger Daniel,

represent some of the play’s highlights, at times very funny

and at other times tender and sad.

Lucy Coleman impresses as Daniel’s girlfriend, Leonie,

who flies in to stay with Daniel for a while, and is like the

meat in the sandwich, caught up in the crossfire between

Holly and Daniel.

Simone Cheuanghane as Emma G, Madeleine Clunies-Ross

as Naomi and Antonio Lewin as Emma M are great fun as

Holly’s high spirited, zany girlfriends.

Even if you just go to see this show on the spur of the

moment, you won’t be disappointed. Recommended,

Anya Reiss’s debut play opened at the ATYP Studio 1,

Pier 4/5, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay on Friday August 30

and is playing until Saturday September 14, 2013.

http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/2013/09/spur-of-

Posted by David Kary on Sep 2, 2013 in Reviews, Theatre |

The turbulent world of adolesence-

Holly Fraser plays the main character, Delilah

Pin-sharp drama lifts lid on family in crisis Posted on September 2, 2013 - 5:15PM

By Jason Blake

Spur of the Moment

Australian Theatre for Young People, August 31

Until September 14

Londoner Anya Reiss was just 17 when she wrote this shrewd

and bitingly funny play. Experienced playwrights three times her

age would struggle to do better.

Deftly veering between sitcom drollery and high-stakes drama,

her capture of the passive-aggressive twists and turns of adult

bickering in Spur of the Moment is as pin-sharp as her voicing

of the 12-year-old girl at its centre, Delilah, the only child of a

crumbling marriage.

The veneer of suburban comfort is quickly stripped away. Dad,

we learn, is jobless, sacked in the wake of an affair with his

boss, and mum is making him suffer for it.

They chip at each other constantly and with so little love being

demonstrated in the house, Delilah is drawn to 21-year-old

Daniel, a student who rents the room across the landing from

her own.

Friendly banter and horseplay excites Delilah's curiosity, which

flares into passion when she steals a kiss from Daniel while

mum and dad attempt to watch The Dark Knight. Infatuation

turns to love, then hurt, then towards tragedy in the making - all

under the noses of parents oblivious to everything save their

own misery.

Staged on a meticulously detailed split-level set designed by

Adrienn Lord, Fraser Corfield's production, which retains the

play's English accent, is crisp and very well acted. Zoe Carides

and Felix Williamson are excruciating and hilarious as martyred

mum and flummoxed dad exchange their sotto voce barbs.

Holly Fraser conveys Delilah's ardour and spite very capably,

and Joshua Brennan is convincingly anguished as Daniel, an

attractive yet unstable character too easily tempted into a

relationship he knows will have devastating consequences.

The final scene doesn't quite gel and softens the play's impact

somewhat, but this is a very good production and an excellent

showcase for the ATYP. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/pinsharp-drama-lifts-lid-on-family-in-crisis-20130902-2t0t0.html#ixzz2dmftByG6

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after you see Spur of the Moment

practical response

ethics: conscience alley Spur of the Moment presents an ethical dilemma. Delilah and Daniel cannot be

together. Delilah says that she loves him. What do you think is going through

Delilah's mind?

practical task

Create a conscience alley for Delilah. Cast one person as Delilah.

The rest of the group stand in 2 lines facing each other with a corridor of space

between each side.

Left Hand Side: the part of Delilah that loves Daniel,

Right Hand Side: the part of Delilah that knows they cannot be together.

Each person must think of a line that represents the point of view of the character.

No lines can be repeated. Do not discuss what each person will say, try to

develop this in the “spur of the moment”.

As Delilah walks down the ally the 2 sides of her conscience throw the lines

towards her (one from the left then one from the right). She reacts physically to

what is being said.

reflection

Recreate the strongest arguments for and against into 2 tableaus. Why were

you drawn to this? Discuss the quandary Delilah is in. Which side did you want to

be true? Why? Consider the moment that Leonie starts sticking up for Delilah.

How does this change things?

extension

Create a conscience ally for Daniel. Is

the decision to do the “right thing”

easier or harder to make from Daniel’s

perspective?.

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acknowledgements

A big thank you to all of the cast, crew and creatives from atyp who assisted

with the production of Spur of the Moment and the accompanying resource.

For more behind the scenes info visit our website www.atyp.com.au/education

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