The Five Chairs & Spatial Dynamics
You must not direct this play as if it takes place in a real living room or a real hospital. Examiners reward students who use the Five Chairs to create abstract environments. You must use spatial relationships (proxemics) and levels (standing on chairs, cowering under them) to visually demonstrate power, isolation, and institutionalization.
Four chairs are placed in a tight, formal square to represent the family dining table. Edward, Jean, and Mark sit rigidly, attempting to maintain domestic normality. Verity's chair is placed physically far apart from the group. This proxemic distance visually demonstrates her isolation and the family's inability to integrate her into 'normal' life.
Use these pre-structured sentences in your exam to instantly hit the top marking bands for directing and proxemics.
| Directorial Choice (What) | Impact Justification (Why) | Key Terminology |
|---|---|---|
| I would direct the four family members to sit rigidly on chairs in a tight cluster Centre Stage, while Verity runs erratically in wide circles around them. | This stark contrast in movement and pace physically isolates Verity, visually demonstrating her chaotic internal world clashing with the family's desperate attempt to maintain middle-class normality. | Proxemics Pace Physical Isolation Contrast |