(DRA1016) Performance Analysis
Applying two of the approaches to which you have been introduced in this module,
provide a comparative analysis of how a moment/s in or element/s of
a performance creates meaning. Justify your choice of the two approaches for your
chosen example.
Approaches Chosen: Signs & Semiotics and Feminist Critique
Production Chosen: A Doll’s House
In March 2022, I watched a production of A Doll’s House written by Henrik Ibsen,
captured by Digital Theatre+ at London’s Young Vic theatre. The play follows the story of
Nora and Torvald Helmer and their three children, a seemingly conformist bourgeoisie family
who inevitably disperse due to disputes that relate to the gender conformities that existed
during the late 19th century society in which the Helmer family live. Directed by Carrie
Cracknell, this performance successfully works to highlight specifically Nora’s oppression
and suffering in patriarchal society dominantly governed by men. The play primarily deals
with the struggles of the relationship between the protagonist Nora, played by Hattie
Morahan and her husband Torvald, which advances the action as Nora represents the lack of
emancipation of many women of that time. Mark Fortier writes that semiotics is
‘understanding the way we communicate with signs in theatre’ (Fortier 2016: 13) and
throughout Cracknell skilfully succeeds her role as the director as she allows the actors to
communicate with the audience through signifiers as she ensures that sign systems operate
within the meaning of the performance. Cracknell specifically creates meaning through
elements such as costume, make-up, set and most of all physical and vocal expression from
the actors. Owing to this, in this essay I will be applying semiotic concepts in relation to
feminist critique in order to analyse the extent of which this production of A Doll’s House
creates apparent and indented meaning for the audience. This choice of combining both signs
Applying two of the approaches to which you have been introduced in this module,
provide a comparative analysis of how a moment/s in or element/s of
a performance creates meaning. Justify your choice of the two approaches for your
chosen example.
Approaches Chosen: Signs & Semiotics and Feminist Critique
Production Chosen: A Doll’s House
In March 2022, I watched a production of A Doll’s House written by Henrik Ibsen,
captured by Digital Theatre+ at London’s Young Vic theatre. The play follows the story of
Nora and Torvald Helmer and their three children, a seemingly conformist bourgeoisie family
who inevitably disperse due to disputes that relate to the gender conformities that existed
during the late 19th century society in which the Helmer family live. Directed by Carrie
Cracknell, this performance successfully works to highlight specifically Nora’s oppression
and suffering in patriarchal society dominantly governed by men. The play primarily deals
with the struggles of the relationship between the protagonist Nora, played by Hattie
Morahan and her husband Torvald, which advances the action as Nora represents the lack of
emancipation of many women of that time. Mark Fortier writes that semiotics is
‘understanding the way we communicate with signs in theatre’ (Fortier 2016: 13) and
throughout Cracknell skilfully succeeds her role as the director as she allows the actors to
communicate with the audience through signifiers as she ensures that sign systems operate
within the meaning of the performance. Cracknell specifically creates meaning through
elements such as costume, make-up, set and most of all physical and vocal expression from
the actors. Owing to this, in this essay I will be applying semiotic concepts in relation to
feminist critique in order to analyse the extent of which this production of A Doll’s House
creates apparent and indented meaning for the audience. This choice of combining both signs
