Telling a Story in Pantomime

ADA1O

Storytelling

• To effectively tell a story and keep the attention of the audience, careful attention must be paid to how the plot is structured

• A common way to structure a dramatic script is called Aristotlian structure

Aristotlian Structure

• Based on the poetic ideas of the Greek philosopher Aristotle– Emphasis is on action– Plot follows a clear beginning, middle, and

end

Aristotlian Structure

1. Exposition

• Laying the groundwork for the story

• Reveals the:– Setting– Relationships between characters– Situation as it exists before the conflict

2. Inciting Incident

• The peace/balance is interrupted when one or more of the characters comes into conflict with an outside force, another character, or themselves

3. Rising Action

• The action and events of the story build towards the moment when the critical moment where the conflict is confronted

4. Climax

• The most critical point in the story

• The point at which the conflict is at its highest point

5. Falling Action

• Events that take place after the climax

• Leads to the closure and conclusion of the story

6. Resolution

• The problem created or revealed by the inciting incident is resolved

• The lesson or meaning is revealed

Example: The 3 Little Pigs

• Exposition: Introduce the characters (pigs) and the scene (them building their houses)

• Inciting Incident: The wolf appears• Rising Action: The wolf blows down the first two

pigs houses and chases them to the 3rd house• Climax: The wolf arrives at the brick house and

attempts to get the pigs• Falling Action: The pigs are safe and live happily

ever after• Resolution: Hard work pays off

Example: Cinderella

• Exposition:

• Inciting Incident:

• Rising Action:

• Climax:

• Falling Action:

• Resolution:

Plotlines and Pantomimes

• Example:– The Lion Cage

Solo Pantomime

• Checking In

Activity:

• In pairs, write a script for a pantomime performance on…– A first date– A trip to the dentist– Getting a parking ticket– Getting a bad haircut