BCf+Character+6+The+King+of+Horror

**Character** The King of Horror **Stimulus** The careers of Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi **Performance focus** Create a solo performance based on the person Boris Karloff or Bela Lugosi
 * PRESCRIBED STRUCTURE 6**

At the wrap-up party for the 1939 film Son of Frankenstein, Bela or Boris blatantly monopolises the attention of an up-coming director in an attempt to secure the lead role in the next horror film. He
 * re-creates a scene which shows the acting skills he uses to portray his favourite and most scary monster


 * creates a scene from an unreleased film which shows his rival for the title King of Horror as incompetent and not at all frightening


 * shows how people in the 21st century will become desensitised to the real ‘monsters’ in their midst.

**Performance style** Non-naturalistic with aspects of Gothic Horror **Theatrical convention** Exaggerated movement **Dramatic element** Symbol **Reference material** [] [] [] []

[] Good article on what is a 'modern' monster? Looks at the characteristics that have changed over time and cultures.

**Dictionary monsters**According to the [|Oxford English Dictionary] the word //monster// first appear in English around 1300 A.D. meaning, "//An animal or plant deviating in one or more of its parts from the normal type;// spec//., an animal [including humans] afflicted with some congenital malformation; a misshapen birth, an abortion.//" The word is derived from Old French 'monstre', meaning; "//something marvellous (originally a divine portent or warning)//." In the beginning //monster// was only used to describe physical deformities, but when we reach the middle of the 16th century it came to incorporate an additional meaning "//A person of inhuman and horrible cruelty or wickedness; a monstrous example// of //(wickedness, or some particular vice).//" Today, according to the [|Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English,] the word //monster// means: >IN STORIES< "//a large ugly frightening creature, especially an imaginary one//", and >CRUEL PERSON< "//someone who is very cruel and evil.//" According to Longman, the monster of the 14th century does no longer suit our notion of a monster. ** Monster is in the eye of the beholder **The 14th century definition of //monster//, from the OED, is not at all valid today. To call a handicapped person a monster is unthinkable in our society. The only dictionary definition still valid today is the 16th century addition - //evil//. This has kept its grasp on the monster concept, and is still the most important attribute. To sum up, I can conclude that the monster concept has changed, and is changing. Some general attributes are common enough, but ask a person to name specific attributes and you will end up with as many answers as you have people. Not only will the definition vary from person to person, it will also differ from situation to situation. The only thing that is certain, is that the 21st century monster is frightening. Not because of its appearance, but because of what is inside. And, to be honest, I do not know what is worse.