"Businessmen" - by David Mamet

This production, an adaptation of Mamet's short play, is an independent student project for my Dramatic Literature class at the University of Montana. It is part of a focus group presentation on the remnants of the tenets of classic melodrama in contemporary works.

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Stock Melodrama Characters
- William P. Steele

The Villain:
Posesses all the defects known to man, with courage as the only redeeming quality -- though often proves to be a coward at heart. The villain is often of high rank, since the greater his power and influence the greater the downfall.

The Hero:
The villain's opposite. The hero's duty is to protect the innocent, rescue the victim of the villain's misdeeds and finally to completely defeat the schemes of the villain. On some occasions the hero is the victim.

The Virtuous Woman:
She is the victim of the villain's misdeeds. She is often bold, can at times defend herself, and is willing to suffer rather than see the villain gain his despicable goal.

The Comic Character:
Often on the side of the hero. In addition to providing comic relief, the comic character helps bring the play to its conclusion.


"Strictly speaking, there are no characters in melodrama, there are only types, easily recognized and commonly occurring. . . ."
- Alexander Lacey

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Melodrama
• Drama
• Dramatic
• Literature
• University
• of
• Montana
• Mamet
• Theatre

[Diedrupo]

I think you guys could have done a better job mimicing David Mamet's dialogue style but it was okay overall.

[phillippe9999]

pretty good stuff man..you guys should try to do some American Psycho..

[ringbearer672000]

Haha i love the music! Kudos to Paul..and of course chris and the two lovely ladies:)