DNA by Dennis Kelly

DNA by Dennis Kelly

1. Characters

   • Leah
     • One sided relationship with Phil
     • 'Moves away' at the end of the play
     • Talks a lot (long monologues)
     • Always trying to get Phil's attention
     • Kills her hamster to get Phils attention
   • Phil
     • Very quiet
     • The brains behind all the plans
     • Everyone listens to him
     • Twisted
     • Always eating
   • Jan
     • Responsible for the lead up to Adam falling in the grille
     • Bounces off Mark (duologues)
   • Brian
     • Made to lie about the guy in the woods
     • Put on medication and goes a bit mad towards the end of the play
     • Cries constantly throughout the first part of the play
     • Taken advantage of by Cathy and Phil and made to kill Adam
     • Weak willed
   • Adam
     • Falls in grille
     • Loses memory and lives in a bush
     • Ate dead animals to survive
   • Cathy
     • Assists Brian in killing Adam near the end of the play
     • No empathy
     • Outspoken at first but becomes more crucial as the play goes on
     • More interested in being on TV than the situation
     • Twisted
     • Frames a random guy for Adams 'kidnapping'
     • Threatens Brian
   • Lou
     • Pessimistic
   • Mark
     • Responsible for the lead up to Adam falling in the grille
     • Bounces off Jan (duologues)
   • John Tate
     • Only in second scene
     • Bans the word 'dead' in the second scene
     • "If you're not on my side that means you're setting yourself up against me"
     • Very defensive
   • Danny
     • Wants to be a dentist
   • Richard
     • Replaces Leah in last scene with Phil

2. Staging

   • Proscenium Arch

3. Sound

   • Can be used to...
     • Creates mood and atmosphere
     • Builds tension
     • Strengthen an emotion or empathise the action on stage
     • Help set the scene
     • Indicate a change of time or lovation
     • Focus attention onto a particular character

4. Lighting