This document provides examples and guidance for structuring responses to live performance evaluation questions. It outlines answering a 6-mark question about physical skills at a specific moment, and a 9-mark question about how a single element engaged the audience throughout the play. Sample responses are given analyzing physical skills in a wrestling match scene, and vocal skills in an opening brotherly argument scene. A full sample response evaluates how lighting was used throughout the play to engage the audience, giving examples of different lighting effects and their impacts.

1. Live Performance Evaluation
Structuring your responses
Example Questions

2. Section B – ‘flapping’
• How can I answer the question?
• How do I begin?
• How much should I write?
• How long do I have?
• What key terminology should I include?
• What can I have in my notes to help me do all
of this?

3. Structuring a response
• It’s important to have a
plan as to how to answer
both questions in section
B.
• The more times you can
practice questions using
this outline plan, the
easier it will be in the
actual exam, because you
will have trained for it.
• Remember, there are two
questions.
• 6 mark question which
will be about a
performance skill, at a
specific point of the play
• 9 mark question about a
specific element, and how
it created an
impact/engaged the
audience throughout the
play.

4. Analyse how physical skills were used to engage
the audience at a specific moment in the play
(6 marks)
Introduce the specific moment
of the play you will refer to in
the answer
Example of the first physical
skill and how it engaged you
Example of a second physical
skill and how it engaged you
Example of a third physical skill
and how it engaged you

5. Analyse how physical skills were used to engage
the audience at a specific moment in the play
(6 marks)
Introduce the specific moment
of the play you will refer to in
the answer
Example of the first physical
skill and how it engaged you
Example of a second physical
skill and how it engaged you
Example of a third physical skill
and how it engaged you
During the wrestling match between Orlando and
Charles, witnessed by Rosalind and Celia, in the
presence of the Duke,
Charles appeared experienced, confidently striding
forcefully towards Orlando, making me believe he
had the advantage.
During the fight Orlando, who had begun to win
the match skilfully threw Charles over his shoulder
to the ground, which was exciting.
Observing the match Rosalind appeared unable to
take her eyes off Orlando, and moved from foot to
foot as if nervous and excited by the possible harm
which may come to him.

6. Analyse how vocal skills were used to create an
impact at a key moment in the play
(6 marks)
Introduce the key moment you will
refer to in the play, where you know
vocal skills had an impact
During the opening scene Orlando demands from his
older brother Oliver, a sum of money so that he can
make his own way in the world. Oliver has so far denied
him this money since their Father’s death.
Example 1 (vocal skill and how it
created an impact)
Example 2 (vocal skill and how it
created an impact)
Example 3 (vocal skill and how it
created an impact)

7. Analyse how vocal skills were used to create an
impact at a key moment in the play
(6 marks)
Introduce the key moment you will
refer to in the play, where you know
vocal skills had an impact
During the opening scene Orlando demands from his
older brother Oliver, a sum of money so that he can
make his own way in the world. Oliver has so far denied
him this money since their Father’s death.
Example 1 (vocal skill and how it
created an impact)
Orlando is furious with his brother for keeping him in a
poor state, lacking a proper education, and berated him
loudly and with an injured tone ‘Why have you kept me
thus?’
Example 2 (vocal skill and how it
created an impact)
Oliver meanwhile sneered at Orlando in a proud and
aggressive tone, using short clipped phrases ‘get thee
hence’ creating the impact of a selfish older brother.
Example 3 (vocal skill and how it
created an impact)
When Adam tried to intervene between the brothers as
they fought, he shouted in a pleading tone’ Masters
think of your Father!’ creating the impact that he was
worried about them both and wanted them to be
friends.

8. Evaluate how lighting was used throughout the
play to engage the audience.
(9 marks)
Example of first lighting
effect, and it’s impact on
your understanding of that
moment
Example of second lighting
effect, and it’s impact on
your understanding of that
moment
Example of third lighting
effect, and it’s impact on
your understanding of that
moment
Example of fourth lighting
effect, and it’s impact on
your understanding of that
moment
Example of fifth lighting
effect, and it’s impact on
your understanding of that
moment

9. Evaluate how lighting was used throughout the
play to engage the audience.
(9 marks)
Example of first lighting
effect, and it’s impact on
your understanding of that
moment
At the beginning of the play Orlando was sitting on a swing centre stage
in a circular pool of light blue light. This made him appear alone and
isolated from his family and the rest of the court.
Example of second lighting
effect, and it’s impact on
your understanding of that
moment
Later when Rosalind was discovered by the Duke to have fled to the
forest, stark bright white lighting from directly in front of the stage gave
eerie shadows on the back wall, creating tension and a dramatic
atmosphere.
Example of third lighting
effect, and it’s impact on
your understanding of that
moment
As the scene changed to the forest of Arden, lighting illuminated the
entire theatre space, including the audience. This had the effect of us
all being in the forest together, all as ‘exiles’
Example of fourth lighting
effect, and it’s impact on
your understanding of that
moment
This effect was further supported by the pillars of the auditorium being
illuminated in green, to represent trees, as if the forest extended
beyond the stage and we were all in it too.
Example of fifth lighting
effect, and it’s impact on
your understanding of that
moment
Finally, bright, flashing multi coloured lighting lit the whole stage
following the wedding celebrations, giving an impression of joy and
hope at the closing of the main action on stage.