Activity 6: One Play, Three Martins

A) Read The Adaptor's notes about the way Act One is built up. Then discuss: 

• What he means by 'fairly fractured' and 'fluid' 
• Why he chose this narrative structure rather than 'a simple unfolding of chronological events'.

In the adaptor's notes, Benjamin Zephaniah discusses the idea of the play (particularly Act One) being 'fairly fractured', this term is quite unique to use with such a play as it gives the reader an idea of the transition and order of the play. This form of description tells us about the structure of the narrative and tells us about the several flashbacks and cutscenes that we will encounter.

The idea of the scenes being fairly fractured gives the idea that in Martin's life many horrible things happen to 'break' him, or so to say, 'fracture' his life, however, that play focuses on the brighter side of ideas, with the use of reality. Using the term 'fairly fractured' helps suggests the idea that there are little bits and pieces of life where everything seems to fall apart: For example (like shown in the play-text) appearance, popularity, friends. However, the stronger message of the play is to portray the idea that you must not take what you have in life for granted. Since, in the play we see in the beginning Martin is showed as a very cocky, confident, popular, known person in the play, and this accident was like a hit of reality, because after experiencing such horrible pain, that he has found the true meaning and understanding of people.

The author lays-out the play in a very strategic manner. Since, he decides to put in dull and exciting scenes together to create a more harmonious as well as breath taking play. The play starts of with Martin lying in the hospital bed, surrounded by his friends and family, concerned, disturbed, conscious, afraid. This gives a quick brain teaser to the audience, giving them an instant scene to put their mind on. This engulfs the audience into watching the play further, as it makes them more intrigued and inquisitive about what lead to this accident? How did it happen? Who are all these people? What exactly happened to this character (Martin)? After showing a very serious and dramatic scene, the author takes us to a more uplifting and cheerful scene, when the last day of school is shown, and Martin is this very cocky, stylish, arrogant, full of himself person. These very contradicting scenes give a perfect match of juxtaposition into the play to keep the plot more interesting to read. In not only limits the idea of being bored, but it also keeps the audience in a trance and roller coaster ride of mixed emotions. 

The street voices are a fluid device with many functions. They push the story along, describe spaces and atmospheres, and can also play smaller named characters as well as roles in school classrooms, clubs, streets, etc. They not only narrate but also capture the essence of some character's deep inner thoughts. They talk to the audience like a friend, and narrate the story while giving their opinion. It's like they are a modern twist to a narrator, as they not only describe what happens in each scene, but also give deep, conventional thoughts that keep the audience thinking. The idea that there are street voices which perfectly fit into the context of the play, gives a flow to the play as well as moves it on, to build up the story. The street voices are important, realistic characters within the play which touch on the different points of reality in every couple of scenes to remind the audience about the purpose as well as the meaning of the play. They act as a connection to the audience, as they too depict ideas and thought that come into the audience's mind when watching the play. They give the true feeling of London, describe true relationships, and represent morals that the play gives. Their importance is to remind the reader of what has happened or will happen in the play, and a though about their emotions and feelings (of all the characters in the play). The street voices are crucial characters that help the audience see the inner thoughts of characters. For example: In the play we do not encounter Martin expressing his true feelings to the audience, since in reality this concept does not take place (generally). So, the street voices convey these crucial pieces of evidence that helps the audience understand each situation much better through more deep and conventional understanding towards each character in the play.

Benjamin Zephaniah chose to layout this play in a more idiosyncratic way, as it does not follow a regular theme, that sets of in a chronological order (from start to end). Rather, the author decides to place the climax bang right in the beginning of the play to give the audience a wave of shock and excitement as well as a heap of curiosity when watching the play. To keep the audience engaged and at the edge of their seats. The author decides to start with the scene where Martin is in the hospital, with a horrible circumstance, of having a facial disfigurement, surrounded by worried faces. This gives the audience an instant emotion of crestfallen, however they are also left thinking several questions (Who is he? How did this happen? Will he be okay?) that begin to urge them to keep watching the play. He then transitions into the classroom scene, where it is the last day of school and Martin is this spoilt, confident, popular child who has everything he needs. So, these 2 juxtaposing scenes in the beginning leave the audience in awe, with a gush of mixed emotions, as well as the temptation to find out what happens next.

B) Look carefully at Act One Scenes 2 and 3 and Act One Scenes 6 and 7. Then, fill in the chart below: 

Scene	What the scene shows
Act One Scene 2	CHARACTERS IN THIS SCENE: Street Voices (1-6), Narrative Martin, Past Martin, Mark, Matthew, & Natalie. - Freedom: This explores the concept of freedom through choices, culture and recognition of people. In this scene the street voices portray East London as a bright, colorful, and free city, where people are free to be true to themselves. The scene talks about the different races, religions, countries (of people) living in East London. We see how there is diversity in the culture and atmosphere of East London. Martin was given freedom, however he did not convey an appreciative attitude towards life, until the accident.  - Expectation: In this scene there is no exact expectation we, as an audience receive while watching, since we are not able to fully judge Martin's character, since he has not been fully introduced into the act quite yet.  - Everyone needs to belong: East London (in the play) is shown to be a place where everyone wants to belong, with a talent, or special ability in order to be liked. However, everybody is free to choose who they decide to be.  - Gangs: This scene introduces the gangs that are there to be seen in East London, and as the author describes each gang we get the effect of appreciation, since he does not characterize the gang by the person's color (as many people do in reality around the world). Gangs mentioned: Positive Negatives, Muslim gangs, Chinese gangs,  & Big Six Posse. - Safe: In this scene, even after introducing such negative characters (like gangs), the author still ensures the audience knows that it is a safe place. The street voice exclaims to the audience, right after the conversation about the gangs.  - East side was open: Everyone was 'welcome', no one felt like an outsider. - Past Martin: Portrayed as a very cocky, confident, high-spirited, arrogant, "Bad boy" character.
Act One Scene 3	CHARACTERS IN THIS SCENE: Nurse (1 & 2), Mum, Present Martin, Dad, & Narrative Martin. - This scene discusses the idea of acceptance of circumstance. Since this is a flashback to the next scene where Martin is in the hospital, being attended by the nurses. His parents are extremely worried, and he himself feels quite lost and upset. - It focuses more on to the negative side of the accident, since this is only the (3rd scene however) 2nd scene of the accident that has been showed so far, and the emotions we receive from Martin are very downhearted, and upsetting, with no moral or conclusion. However, we still share empathy for what has happened to the character, as we are still in the process of understanding this character further.  - This scene is quite crucial although a little dull, since the atmosphere and lighting (as I Imagine) would be a little dull, and faint.
Act One Scene 6	CHARACTERS IN THIS SCENE: Street Voices (1-6), Natalie, Matthew, Mark, & Past Martin. - In this scene the street voices are conveying the idea, of how days are passing by with nothing being done. - The street voices discuss the idea of undetermined fate, and then, we have a transition into another location (in the same scene) where Natalie, Matthew, Mark, & present Martin walk in. - The 'gang of three' and Natalie talk about going to a club, and they discuss what they would do when the get there (i.e. dancing, drinks, etc).  - Natalie shows interest in going to the club, as she has interest in dancing, and she feels more connected with herself that way. - In the end of the scene they decide to go to the club.
Act One Scene 7	CHARACTERS IN THIS SCENE: Narrative Martin, Nurse 1 & Present Martin.  - This is a short scene, right after a fun, uplifting, comedic scene with the group of friends. This is a transition scene where we go back to Present Martin who is in the hospital bed.  - This scene is crucial, as it gives the audience a visual of Martin's inner thoughts with the use of Narrative Martin. - We, the audience are empathizing with Present Martin, looking at the given circumstance. - Present Martin, is stubborn, and wants to see his face (his disfigured face, that is damaged because of the horrible crash). He demands a mirror from the Nurse, who suggests it not being a great idea to see himself just as yet. However, Martin (Present) is determined. - Martin receives the mirror, and thanks the nurse. The scene ends.

C) Read Act One Scene 9, then discuss: 

• Why the playwrights include two different voices for Martin in this scene: Narrative Martin and Present Martin
• What effect this device is meant to have on the audience
• How you would present the two Martins on stage if you were producing the play

The author uses a very bold and useful structure, to layout the play in a more concise and logical manner. The author careful decided to place contrasting scenes back-to-back in order to keep the audience interested and on the edge of their seat. So to say, they feel more engrossed by the play, rather than bored by some bits and excited by the others. The author places some dull scenes and moments together with exciting and breath taking moments in the play, to keep the reader in hope for more. The author showcases these different scenes as mostly flashbacks that present Martin often recalls. It is extremely useful to have 3 tenses of the main character, as it gives the audience a proper emotion and depth into the character, and creates levels of importance for each character. It helps the audience experience each and everything martin has gone through, starting from his past, to the present. There is also a narrative martin, which actually acts as a role that shows the audience a connection with Martin, since as narrative Martin, he explores his thoughts and feelings to the audience, in hope for connection and comfort and support from the audience.

Having 1-3 Martins in a scene gives more depth, explanation and meaning to the play, because we are able to exactly pin point what is happening with the Narrative Martin's presence and with Present Martin we are able to empathize with his current emotions and are able to relate it to Past Martin, to give us an idea of the character. In Scene 9 Act One, we have 2 Martins in the playwright, to make the effect of the scene much more powerful and clear for the audience to grasp, and understand the concept and emotions of each character. In this scene Martin is in the hospital, after the accident, he is given a mirror to look at his disfigured face for the first time. This scene is already quite powerful, because present Martin is showing his feeling through his facial expressions and the actions he decides to show. however, it is not enough for the audience to grasp the full emotions and feelings that are taking place in his mind at that very second, to make us, the audience feel more connected and for us to understand, there is Narrative Martin. Narrative Martin, helps guide the audience's emotions towards Present Martin much more precisely. Otherwise, we would be left to create our own judgement about his character. Hearing his sorrow, disheartened, and loss, we, the audience get a more clearer understanding of Present Martin's situation and character.

If I was producing the play, for this scene I would make it much more dramatic and focused for  the audience to understand it's importance and value in the whole play, because this is the scene where everything changes for the main character (Martin). I would have had a spotlight on the 2 Martins (Present and Past). I feel it is important to have Past Martin in this scene as well, because it helps the audience easily compare how Martin was and is now, and what made him change. In the spotlight I would have Present Martin sitting in the middle of the stage, looking down, and his hands covering his eyes to erase the image of himself that is getting embedded into his mind. Then, I would have Past Martin walk up to Present Martin and picking him up gently (Present Martin still has his hands placed on his face - covering his face). Past Martin, looking furious, would then say "Look at me!", "You did this to me!", "It's all your fault!". What this will do is, it will give the audience a peak into Present Martin's real emotions, that he feels that it's his fault he is in a situation like this. This scene will be like a reflection of his thoughts and feelings to the situation he is in. I would also have Narrative Martin standing right beside Past Martin, agreeing to the taunts and hateful-ness from Past Martin. What this will do is, it will bring all the 3 Martins to stage and create a big impact as a scene in the play, and it will also be imprinted into the audience's mind.