Transforming my grandparents into theatrical characters

I have come to a realisation in my recent studies of performance that it is important to build a relationship between the 'performers' and the audience. It is evident that I have a strong connection to the stories that I will retell in this project, however is is vital that my audience feels empathy towards my grandparents to ensure they will watch the whole of the performance. In the initial stages of this character building, I have found stereotypes of men and women in the late 1950s and compared them to my grandparents personal traits. Here are my findings:

This is my Maternal Grandmother, Jill Girling.

- Glamorous

-Sociable

- Strong-minded

-Courageous

This photograph was taken in Trinidad, circa 1960. As a young wife, she relocated abroad with my Grandfather, Michael. They did this within the first year of their marriage. In her younger years, women were the lesser sex and were expected to fulfil a role of dutiful wife and mother. Despite being both of these, my grandmother showed willingness to explore and experience the places she was living in. 

My Grandmother is a keen letter writer, a method of communication that was vital in her circumstances. Her letter writing is still to this day an important aspect of her life. To this day she is still writing to a friend from Canada she has known since she was eleven. She has shared many of experiences with her pen friends in an entertaining and charming manner. (I want to adopt some of her storytelling techniques into my visual interpretations). 

The sociable traits of my grandmother have many more similarities to the movie stars of the time. Women, especially those living in towns and cities, made a concerted effort with their appearance. Actresses such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor popularised the importance of looking 'womanly' with their hourglass figures and red lips. 

(My Grandmother)

Advertisements from the 1950s...

'Yet the usual media image of a housewife showed her not as a mother in comfortable trousers and sweater, or loose dress, suitable for such work, but as a doll-like figure dressed in rustling, full skirts, nipped waist and narrow-fitting bodice. Even her apron had deep frills and a heart-shaped top and heart-shaped top and pockets.

The idea was that she should catch and keep her man, not by her personality and mind but by her young, slim, hour-glass appearance and long legs - all precariously supported on high stiletto heels'.

The stereotype of women in the 1950s depicts that they should replace personality with their glamorous appearance, as seen in How to Marry a Millionaire (1953). Marilyn Monroe's character relies on the male character to confirm her beauty as she is convinced previously that he would not find her attractive wearing glasses. This is reflective on the media's influence of society that intelligent women with opinions were not 'wife material'. In the movie clip, she represents women as naive and innocent that need protecting by a strong heroic male character (in this case, a millionaire). In my opinion, my Grandmother contrasted from these stereotypes. She was glamorous, yes, but at no point she make herself a victim. In a sense this project will look at women of this time with respect and in effect they can be related to by all modern day women, career driven and housewives.

This is my Maternal Grandfather, Michael Girling. 

- A true gentleman

- Worked as a civil engineer.

-Artistic (wanted to be an artist, but wasn't allowed by his father, who believed my grandfather couldn't support a family with an artist's income). Instead, he became particularly interested in photography. The majority of the photography that will be used in this project was has been taken by him.

-My Grandparents moved around the world depending on the engineering projects he was given. As a child I remember clearly, sitting and watching slide shows of dams and other construction. He was very passionate about his work and generally worked very hard throughout his career.

-He definitely fulfils the role of a stereotypical 1950s man- Doing his national service (in Cyprus), securing himself a well-payed and respected job, and a keen sportsman (cycling in particular). Some people may also describe him as a suave, well-dressed man as well.

If he were compared to the 1950/60s media's representation of men, I think he fits these stereotypes pretty well. However, with his caring nature, he could be related to film characters such as Tony from West Side Story (1961). A male character well respected within his male friendship group but also a caring and loving man.

(My Grandfather in Trinidad circa 1959)