Contemporary Realism in a High-Tech Dystopia
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Status: Low (Nought) | Archetype: The Tragic Radical
Callum begins the play full of hope and typical teenage awkwardness, but systemic oppression physically and emotionally grinds him down into a hardened terrorist for the Liberation Militia.
Act 1: Stumbling pace, overlapping dialogue, warm tone.
Act 2: Low monotone pitch, heavy use of dramatic pauses to show his emotional death.
Transition from a light, bouncing gait in early scenes to a heavy, grounded, militaristic march by the end. His facial expressions freeze into an unreadable mask.
Status: High (Cross) | Archetype: The Privileged Rebel
Sephy's journey is about waking up to her own privilege. She starts the play shielded from the reality of Albion's racism, but learns to wield her power to fight the system.
Act 1: Fast pace and rising intonation (making statements sound like questions).
Act 2: High volume, sharp articulation, and downward inflection to assert dominance.
In early scenes, she uses nervous, teenage gestures (fidgeting with her uniform). By the end, she adopts rigid, upright posture and sustained, defiant eye contact.
Status: Maximum (Home Secretary) | Archetype: The Oppressor
The embodiment of the dystopian state. He is ruthless, powerful, and utterly convinced of Cross superiority. He uses the media and politics as weapons.
Impeccably polished accent. Extremely clear articulation. Projects his voice effortlessly, accustomed to speaking to crowds and being obeyed instantly.
Uses spatial dominance. Often positioned on higher levels (like a balcony or podium). Movements are minimal, controlled, and precise. Never rushes.
Status: Low (Nought) | Archetype: The Violent Extremist
Driven mad by the injustice of the world, Jude believes violence is the only language the Crosses understand. He lacks Callum's empathy and is entirely consumed by rage.
Explosive volume. Frequent use of harsh, guttural tones. Often interrupts other characters, showing his impatience and lack of control.
Aggressive proxemics—he invades other people's space to intimidate them. Hands are frequently clenched into fists. Paces the stage like a caged animal.
Status: Low (Nought) | Archetype: The Broken Mother
Meggie represents the exhaustion of living as a second-class citizen. She tries to keep her head down and her family safe, but the system destroys them anyway.
Soft volume, often sounding weary or on the verge of tears. Uses a slower pace, reflecting the heavy burden she constantly carries.
Defensive posture. Shoulders slumped, looking physically weighed down. Avoids direct eye contact with Cross characters to demonstrate her subjugation.
Status: High (Cross) | Archetype: The Fragile Aristocrat
Despite her extreme wealth and power, Jasmine is deeply unhappy, trapped in a loveless marriage with Kamal, and relies heavily on alcohol to cope with her reality.
Fluctuating pitch and slurred articulation to indicate intoxication. Can snap from a drifting, melodic tone to sudden, sharp barks of anger.
Unsteady gait. She often uses props (like a wine glass) as a physical shield. Even when surrounded by family, she maintains wide proxemics, showing her emotional isolation.