Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Metaphors Notes
Mike van Graan
Contents
1. Background & Playwrights intention.........................................................................1
1 (A). The Sustainable Development Goals (not all mentioned)..................................2
2. Themes.....................................................................................................................9
3. Structure & Plot-line..................................................................................................9
4. Genre & Style..........................................................................................................10
5. Performance Aspects (Stage, Set, Props, Costumes, Light, Sound & Acting styles)
....................................................................................................................................19
6. Relevance & Efficacy..............................................................................................27
7. Metaphors & Symbols.............................................................................................27
8. Quotes & Extras......................................................................................................29
1. Background & Playwrights intention
Mike van Graan was the artist-in-residence at the University of Pretoria in South
Africa’s capital city and was commissioned to write a play about the United Nation’s
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
,Commission specifications (playwrights intention):
It was to be performed by senior acting students in the drama department; it had to
include as many actors as possible – at least 8 (the largest cast in my previously
staged works was 5) and it had to be a maximum of 60 minutes as it would premiere
at a Festival, where works were churned in and out of venues at a rapid rate.
SDG’s:
There are 17 SDGs – end poverty, achieve zero hunger, reduce inequality, quality
education for all, achieve gender equality, combat climate change, etc.; with a
collective total of 169 targets.
How he wrote the play:
He decided to produce a work that recognises that not many people know about the
Sustainable Development Goals so that the play would be a vehicle for awareness-
raising and as a catalyst for debate notwithstanding this, the piece should pursue its
educational role as theatrically as possible, so that the play would cover all 17 goals
– some of them more cursorily than others – with different theatrical styles employed
throughout the piece to keep it interesting for the audience, and allow the director
and cast to explore and participate in a variety of theatrical forms. While being
educational, the piece would also offer critical commentary on the goals and their
capacity for being realised.
1 (A). The Sustainable Development Goals (not all
mentioned)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were
adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty,
protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognize that action in one area will affect
outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and
environmental sustainability. Countries have committed to prioritize progress for
those who are furthest behind. The SDGs are designed to end poverty, hunger,
AIDS, and discrimination against women and girls. The creativity, knowhow,
, technology and financial resources from all of society is necessary to achieve the
SDGs in every context.
Goal 1: No Poverty
Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges facing
humanity. Too many are still struggling for the most basic human needs. The goal is
to end poverty in all forms by 2030. This involves targeting the most vulnerable,
increasing basic resources and services and supporting communities affected by
conflict and climate-related disasters.
LRRH:
*The little pigs who cannot afford to buy houses in a “decent” area and are relegated
to living on the “outskirts” of society. Their poverty is in direct contrast to the 1%... on
the “Island of Wealth”.
*Mr Hood going to look for work - so as to have money.
*Hurricane Donald as a climate-related disaster and all that he has affected.
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Mike van Graan
Contents
1. Background & Playwrights intention.........................................................................1
1 (A). The Sustainable Development Goals (not all mentioned)..................................2
2. Themes.....................................................................................................................9
3. Structure & Plot-line..................................................................................................9
4. Genre & Style..........................................................................................................10
5. Performance Aspects (Stage, Set, Props, Costumes, Light, Sound & Acting styles)
....................................................................................................................................19
6. Relevance & Efficacy..............................................................................................27
7. Metaphors & Symbols.............................................................................................27
8. Quotes & Extras......................................................................................................29
1. Background & Playwrights intention
Mike van Graan was the artist-in-residence at the University of Pretoria in South
Africa’s capital city and was commissioned to write a play about the United Nation’s
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
,Commission specifications (playwrights intention):
It was to be performed by senior acting students in the drama department; it had to
include as many actors as possible – at least 8 (the largest cast in my previously
staged works was 5) and it had to be a maximum of 60 minutes as it would premiere
at a Festival, where works were churned in and out of venues at a rapid rate.
SDG’s:
There are 17 SDGs – end poverty, achieve zero hunger, reduce inequality, quality
education for all, achieve gender equality, combat climate change, etc.; with a
collective total of 169 targets.
How he wrote the play:
He decided to produce a work that recognises that not many people know about the
Sustainable Development Goals so that the play would be a vehicle for awareness-
raising and as a catalyst for debate notwithstanding this, the piece should pursue its
educational role as theatrically as possible, so that the play would cover all 17 goals
– some of them more cursorily than others – with different theatrical styles employed
throughout the piece to keep it interesting for the audience, and allow the director
and cast to explore and participate in a variety of theatrical forms. While being
educational, the piece would also offer critical commentary on the goals and their
capacity for being realised.
1 (A). The Sustainable Development Goals (not all
mentioned)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were
adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty,
protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognize that action in one area will affect
outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and
environmental sustainability. Countries have committed to prioritize progress for
those who are furthest behind. The SDGs are designed to end poverty, hunger,
AIDS, and discrimination against women and girls. The creativity, knowhow,
, technology and financial resources from all of society is necessary to achieve the
SDGs in every context.
Goal 1: No Poverty
Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges facing
humanity. Too many are still struggling for the most basic human needs. The goal is
to end poverty in all forms by 2030. This involves targeting the most vulnerable,
increasing basic resources and services and supporting communities affected by
conflict and climate-related disasters.
LRRH:
*The little pigs who cannot afford to buy houses in a “decent” area and are relegated
to living on the “outskirts” of society. Their poverty is in direct contrast to the 1%... on
the “Island of Wealth”.
*Mr Hood going to look for work - so as to have money.
*Hurricane Donald as a climate-related disaster and all that he has affected.
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
