Ian Lawson's Complicated Territory Analysis

Ian Lawson’s (Lawson) Bastard Territory conveys difficult subject matters through the use of enriched dramatic elements, conventions and skills however the audience is still able to remain engaged and entertained throughout with such humour and amusing interplay. This is portrayed through three significant moments during the play. The first being in Act One ‘Play Within the Play’ followed by ‘Lois’ Exit’ in Act Two and finally ‘Neville’s Heart’ in Act Three. Throughout these moments in the play, the difficult subject matters and issues that are portrayed are, discrimination of class, dysfunctional families and dealing with loss.

Lawson clearly utilizes the dramatic elements, conventions and skills though difficult subject matters with entertaining

The most momentous moment in this Act is ‘Neville’s Heart’. During this section of Act Three, Russell comes out as a drag queen in his bar whilst a party is being thrown. As Neville is now old, the sight of his son in a dress shocks him into fainting. Adding Nanette into this scene brings an awkward tension. ‘What a gorgeous thing to come for Neville’s retirement’ (Act Three, Scene Seven, pg. 113). During this moment the element of humour has been added to the serious issue of dealing with loss. This is well interpreted through the characters and the story plot. The element of drama that is portrayed throughout this moment of Act Three is mood. This can be shown through Neville and how he reacts to Russell’s drag queen act. As he faints Russell is forced to become concerned for his father and therefor is changing his mood dramatically. The post-modern convention that can be seen in this scene is transformational acting. This is shown through Russell as he transforms himself into a drag queen and interprets the character of himself. Also Russell’s boyfriend Alistair is played by the actor whom played Russell’s dad in Act One and Act Two. This is transformational acting as he transforms from one relationship to another with Russell. The skill of drama that is interpreted in this moment of Act Three is applying stagecraft. The stage becomes a two-story building as Russell performs his drag act on the upper level, looking out over the crown that is down below in the bar. The amusing interplay that is used throughout this moment can be shown through Russell and Neville. The two characters interact towards one another with hesitance as Russell is now older and is in charge of his own well-being. This moment is a clear example of how Lawson has used entertaining and amusing interplay though different characters and how he has been able