The Wonderful World of Dissocia - Presentation Task:
The Wonderful World of Dissocia is a play written and directed by Anthony Neilson about a young woman suffering from dissociative disorder. The idea was originally work-shopped with a group of students at LAMDA in 2002 but was later re-written and produced for the Glasgow's Tron Theatre at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2004. The play won Neilson the 2004-5 CATS award for Best New Play and the production secured Best Director award for Neilsen, Best Actress award for Christine Entwisle (Lisa) and Best Design for Miriam Buether. In December 2009 The List magazine included the work in its "Best of a Decade" compilation. It toured England in 2007, making its London debut at the Royal Court Theatre in March 2007.
The United States première was at the Profiles Theater, North Broadway Street, Chicago, on 26 March 2009. The Sydney Theatre Company mounted a production at The Wharf Theatre, Sydney, Australia, on 18 April 2009. The Latin American première was at Mediterránea Café Teatro, Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 20 March 2015.
The play is in two contrasting acts, with the first a vivid and colourful recreation of Lisa's dream-like imaginary life and the second a realistic presentation of the hospital ward in which she is receiving treatment. In this way the play attempts to give the audience a notion of how the condition affects the sufferer. Watch the following Documentary for some more context on the play:
https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/content/default.asp?page=s256
Group 1 - The causes and effects of dissociative disorders
Group 2 - Treatment and rehabilitation for dissociative disorders
Group 3 - The work of Anthony Neilson
Group 4 - Personal stories of dissociative disorders
Group 5 – The voices of actors, critics and the writer on the play
● You will need to consider the social, historical, cultural, political context of the play.
● You will need to plan and rehearse your presentation with the group below.
● You will need to find interesting ways to present your findings as you will not be allowed to use a power-point, however you will have access to a stereo.
● Presentations should last between 10 – 12 minutes and will happen on Thursday 2nd February in your lesson.
