Dramatic Techniques
Adapting a novel into a play involves transforming a narrative-driven form into one that is suitable for live performance on stage. These dramatic techniques allow playwrights and adapters to transform the rich narrative of a novel into a dynamic and compelling theatrical experience that resonates with audiences in a different way than the original text.
Dramatic techniques - Click on tabs below
Condensing the storyline and reducing the number of characters and scenes to fit within the time constraints of a theatrical performance. This often involves merging or omitting subplots and minor characters.
Rewriting and reshaping dialogue to be more concise, impactful, and suitable for spoken delivery on stage. Dialogue may need to be adapted to maintain the essence of characters and plot points while fitting the pacing of a play.
Utilizing stage design, lighting, costumes, and physical movement to convey elements of the story that may have been described in detail in the novel. This includes creating visual metaphors and symbolic gestures that enhance the audience's understanding and emotional engagement.
Introducing or enhancing framing devices such as monologues, direct address to the audience, or a narrator character who can summarize or bridge gaps in the narrative. These devices help streamline the storytelling and maintain audience engagement.
Emphasizing the central themes and conflicts of the novel to ensure they are clear and resonant in the play adaptation. This may involve restructuring scenes or altering character motivations to sharpen the focus on what drives the story's emotional and thematic core.
Famous Monologues
- Best Movie Monologues — Top 20 Ranked for Writers & Actors
Movies have been known to transport us to different worlds, times, and experiences through the power of storytelling. And one of the most magical ways that movies do this is through the use of monologues. From inspiring speeches that make us want to stand up and take action to heart-wrenching confessions that bring us to tears, the best movie monologues can capture the essence of a film and stay with us long after the credits have rolled.
DeGuzman, K. (2023, December 5). Best movie monologues — Top 20 ranked for writers & actors. StudioBinder. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/best-movie-monologues/
- Shakespeare Monologues for Men: 50 Powerful SpeechesInspirational Shakespeare monologues exist in every one of his plays. Some are chilling, others are stirring, and a few monologues from his comedies are even playful. But what constitutes a powerful monologue for one person is deemed nothing extraordinary to the next. The actor must connect with a monologue and choose one appropriate for their interest and skills.
Shakespeare monologues for men: 50 powerful speeches. (2023, November 5). The Drama Teacher. https://thedramateacher.com/shakespeare-monologues-for-men/
National Theatre Production (2011) - Click on the tabs below
“Frankenstein,” the play adapted by Nick Dear from the original novel. Premiering at the Royal National Theatre in 2011, this production featured Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating in the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. The play’s hauntingly beautiful stage design and deeply emotional performances make it a standout adaptation that is not to be missed. The sample scenes are useful in identifying some of the production effects employed as well as stage craft applied.
Dramatic compression
- Adaptations of Classic PlaysA lesson plan focussing on the conventions for classic play adaptations.
Mumford, L. (2017, November 20). Adaptations of Classic Plays. Sydney Theatre Company. https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/-/media/project/sydney-theatre-company/sydney-theatre-company/pdf/2017/education/three-sisters/threesisters_worksheet_2017_2.pdf
Dialogue Adaptation
- Five things: Creating a sense of placeThe use of dialogue distinctive to a particular place—patterns of speech, dialect words, endearments, expletives, colloquialisms—can enhance a sense of that place.
Curtin, A. (2024, May 22). Five things: Creating a sense of place. Scottish Book Trust. https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/articles/five-things-creating-a-sense-of-place
Visual and Physical Storytelling
- Five things: Creating an atmosphere in your writing
Kirsty Logan's top tips for creating an atmosphere. All five senses – sight, sound, touch, smell and taste – can be effective in creating a strong atmosphere. All you have to do is make sure you're using the most effective sense for the feel you want to create.
Logan, K. (2024, May 22). Five things: Creating an atmosphere in your writing. Scottish Book Trust. https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/articles/five-things-creating-an-atmosphere-in-your-writing
Monologue Case Study - Gold Watch - Pulp Fiction
The "Gold Watch" monologue from Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction is one of the film's most memorable scenes, featuring Captain Koons (played by Christopher Walken) as he delivers a poignant and darkly humorous story to a young Butch Coolidge. The monologue is a masterclass in dramatic storytelling, employing several techniques that heighten its impact.
The "Gold Watch" monologue is a rich example of Tarantino's ability to blend humour, pathos, and horror through a combination of dramatic techniques. By using dramatic compression, sharp dialogue, subtle visual and physical storytelling, and a strong narrative frame, Tarantino creates a scene that is both memorable and thematically resonant. The monologue not only provides backstory but also serves as a key to understanding Butch’s character and the broader themes of Pulp Fiction.
Definition: This involves condensing time, events, or emotional beats to create a more impactful narrative.
Application: The monologue compresses years of suffering and endurance into a brief, intense story. Captain Koons recounts the watch's journey through multiple generations and the harrowing experiences of Butch's father and Koons himself in a matter of minutes. This compression of time intensifies the emotional weight of the watch's history and its significance to Butch.
Definition: Dialogue in film can reveal character, advance the plot, and convey themes.
Application: The dialogue in this monologue is carefully crafted to balance humour, pathos, and the macabre. Captain Koons' delivery is matter-of-fact, even as he discusses the grim details of smuggling the watch in a POW camp. The contrast between the serious content and the understated delivery creates a darkly comic tone. The dialogue also serves to reveal Koons' character as someone who has endured immense hardship with a stoic, almost surreal, acceptance.
Definition: Visual storytelling involves using imagery, composition, and other visual elements to convey the story.
Application: Although the monologue is largely dialogue-driven, the visual aspect is crucial. The setting—a modest living room with young Butch sitting quietly on a couch—contrasts with the extraordinary tale being told. The simple, domestic setting grounds the story in reality, making the absurdity and horror of the tale even more striking. The camera focuses on Butch's face, emphasizing his innocence and the burden being placed upon him.
Definition: This involves using physical actions, gestures, and movements to tell the story or reveal character.
Application: Captain Koons' physical demeanour is calm and restrained, which contrasts with the visceral and uncomfortable nature of the story he tells. His controlled body language, coupled with his direct eye contact with young Butch, adds a layer of intensity to the scene. The absence of exaggerated movements or expressions makes the monologue even more unsettling.
Definition: Framing devices are techniques used to structure or introduce a story within the story.
Application: The monologue serves as a narrative framing device for Butch’s character arc. The story of the gold watch is not just a background detail but a central motivator for Butch's actions later in the film. The watch represents his family's legacy and the expectations placed upon him, framing his later decisions and the film’s exploration of themes like honour, loyalty, and survival.
Definition: Central conflicts and themes drive the narrative and are often explored through dialogue, actions, and symbolism.
Application: The monologue touches on several of Pulp Fiction’s key themes, including the transmission of values across generations, the absurdity of heroism, and the randomness of violence. The watch symbolizes a connection to Butch’s past and his family’s sacrifices. The absurdity of the story (smuggling a watch in a POW camp) juxtaposed with the seriousness with which it is told reflects the film's larger exploration of the fine line between the grotesque and the honourable. This also ties into Butch's internal conflict—his struggle to live up to his father’s legacy while forging his own path.
Frankenstein - Nick Dear Adaptation - Monologue Analysis
Narrative Framing Devices
FRANKENSTEIN and the Frame Narrative - YouTube
Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein is written in a form known as the frame narrative which means that the story she tells is not rendered in one point of view but in more than one point of view with the point of views nesting within each other.
Eric G Wilson's Musings on Words and Images. (2020, July 31). FRANKENSTEIN and the Frame Narrative. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGsBRTlDmzc
- How to Write a Monologue With ExamplesDramatic monologues are a literary device that have been used since ancient Greek theatre—today, they are a common tool in modern plays and films.
A monologue is a long speech by a single character in a theatre production or film. Monologues can either be addressing other characters in the scene, or they can be one character talking to themselves or to the audience. The word monologue is made up of the Greek roots for alone and speak, and it is the counterpart of the word dialogue, which comes from the Greek word for conversation.
MasterClass. (2019, October 24). How to write a monologue with examples. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-monologue-with-examples
How to Write a Monologue - YouTube
Apex Drama Tools. (2021, January 22). How To Write a Monologue [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81iEct_pqzM
- How To Write a Monologue (Steps Plus Tips)Monologues occur when a character delivers a speech to another character or characters. It differs from a soliloquy speech, as a soliloquy is only privy to the audience. If you’re writing a play or building your screenplay, you might employ use of a monologue for your characters, to help move along the plot or simply vocalize a character’s thoughts.
