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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Berkoff
http://www.markedbyteachers.com/as-and-a-level/drama/berkoff-s-theatrical-purpose.html
http://www.iainfisher.com/berkoff/berkoff-study-a3.html
http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415436588/resourcesheet1.asp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_theatre

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final power point for presentation.

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Franz Kafka is the creator of famous plays such as metamorphosis that inspired berkoff, and were adapted by him for the stage.
Kafkaesque meaning:
characteristic or reminiscent of the oppressive or nightmarish qualities of Franz Kafka's fictional world (in which characters are crushed by nonsensical, blind authority)
Example:
The trial.  man is suddenly told he is under arrest but wont even be given an answer as to why,

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-total theatre
-large exaggerated mime
-slow motion
-sound effects created by actors
-clear body language
- status (sparking the audiences ability to understand and recognise the signs in order to create the imaginary world in front of them)
-absence in scenery
-temp fast/slow
-synchronisation and unison
-chorus work

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The German playwright Brecht left Germany when Hitler came to power.  His plays show his anti-fascist stance, and were also innovative, in particular his Verfremdungseffekt (alienation effect) which Berkoff uses in East where actors destroy naturalism by, for example, addressing to the audience.

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Artaud wanted to move from staid structured melodrama towards a theatre reinvigorated by danger and cruelty, using the power of words and gestures to release emotions.  Berkoff followed Artaud and describes this in the documentary ‘changing stages’.

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Berkoff named his five favourite films as:

La Strada.  Fellini’s 1954 portrayal of simple Italian life. With Giulietta Masina and Anthony Quinn.

Carrie.  Directed by William Wyler in 1952 with Laurence Olivier

Cyrano de Bergerac.

Throne Of Blood.

Koyaanisqatsi.

He is famously known for his roles as villainous characters.

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This practitioner majorly influenced Berkoff, especially going to his training school. Berkoff picked up '7 states of tension' from him (coma, Californian, alert, suspicious, natural, passionate, tragic), mainly exercising states 1, 2 & 6, 7 as acting in the berkoffian style is very over dramatic, even freezes are often done with incredible physical and facial tension.
Berkoffs style takes very heavy influence from Leqoc:
Berkoff studied with Claude Chagrin, a pupil of Jacques Le Coq, and later briefly with Le Coq himself.  Le Coq's mime, movement, masks, and ensemble acting are all characteristic of Berkoff.

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Exaggerated & stylised mime
Exaggerated facial expressions
Externalising emotions
Physicalisation of objects
Third person address
Rhythm through voice and body
Abstract use of voice and ensemble playing.

His physical, exaggerated style of theatre is both popular and controversial, defying the norms of naturalistic theatre.

Complex language that an audience has to focus means they rely on actions to understand the plot

he wanted to “evoke and resignify”the language of Shakespeare through movement and modern slang.

Berkoff performed in Decadence along side Joan Collins in a play that mocked the lives of the upper class.

'to see how I could bring mime together with the spoken word as its opposite partner, creating the form and structure of the piece'

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Berkoffian actors use techniques such as background movement, repetitive actions, and mime to explore further the ways in which Berkoff approaches exchanges between two characters.  Berkoff said that it was important “to see how I could bring mime together with the spoken word as its opposite partner, creating the form and structure of the piece”

The theory of Total Theatre is key to Berkoff and stemmed from Artaud’s theatre style. Total Theatre maintains that every aspect of theatre must have purpose: every movement, that is choreographed; to each line, that is learned perfectly; to each lighting effect, that is used to convey a mood or message; to each sound effect, that enhances the audience’s experience; to each prop that has a use

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Steven Berkoff had a TV commercial for BBC Digital (2002), TV for Mercedes Benz.

Independent Horror Movie Awards 2017 Winner
April Award  Best Actor
Steven Berkoff's Tell Tale Heart (2017)

Tabloid Witch Award |  Best Dramactic Actor
Steven Berkoff's Tell Tale Heart (2017)

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Born 3 August 1937
in a small town called Stepney in the East End of London.
His family was Jewish was originally from Romania and Russia.
Berkoff attended Raine's Foundation Grammar School 1948–50.
His plays and adaptations have been performed in many countries and in many languages

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Explain who Berkoff is and explain some of his history and background in relation to performing arts, film and media.

Berkoff uses physical theatre in his performances. Describe what this is and what purpose it has in Berkoff’s work. (Why does he use physical theatre?)

Describe the skills he requires of his actors in order for them to be successful physical theatre performers.

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The Tourist
Reginald Shaw

(2010)

A Clockwork Orange
Det. Const. Tom
(1971)

Octopussy
Orlov

(1983)

Rambo: First Blood Part II
1985

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2011

London Heist

2017

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Who?
Steven Berkoff, born on 3 August 1937 to a Jewish family in Stepney, London, is a theatre practitioner (as well as actor, author & playwright) who was a pioneer for total theatre.
He most notably studied at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq.
What?
Steven Berkoff believed in total theatre, the idea that ALL elements of a performance are equally important for the intended effect on the audience, whether shocking, sad, funny, etc. This means lighting, an actors movement, voice, sfx sounds, props (though minimal) all play the same importance. The combination of all these things perfectly timed packs a strong experience for the audience,
He has many dramatic conventions of his own such as;
Exaggerated facial expression, meaning you over exaggerate to give stereotype to your character, which in the eyes of the audience may be more understandable and relatable but also to alienate an audience and make them see and analyse characters from an outside perspective, especially when regarding political pieces.
Physicalisation of objects,
This abstract convention is useful as it widens actors character opportunities and gives physical theatre more depth in my opinion, enabling the audience to see and be enchanted by how perhaps an object would feel or act.