2.4

//Seven Stages// and //Ruby Moon// have both used multiple characterisation to transform the Australian identity from one dimensional stereotypes to multidimensional identities. This has been achieved by the symbolic use of props, costuming, voice and physicality. The use of multiple characterisation in Seven Stages is able to disengage the audience from the characters in order to strengthen the message being presented by the persona. The use of the everywoman character infers that she is not one specific role, but is representing various aspects of the Indigenous culture. The audience is not inclined to develop any attachments with her as she changes every scene and this is important as it allows the audience to develp attachments with the themes being presented rather than specific characters. A similar *technique*(this isnt a technique..is it?) has been used in Ruby Moon to create distance between characters and the audience. The two main characters, Ray and Sylvie, are not sterotypical, one dimential characters, rather they take on multiple roles and have levels of meaning and depth in each differing role.

Costume is used in Ruby Moon to signify different personas to assist in conveying their respective message. An example of this is found in scene XXX ??? Costume change occurs onstage visible to the audience in Ruby Moon to inform the audience that the it is the same actor playing the new character. This makes the change very obvious to the audience and destroys the illusion of the character being real and solid, inferring instead that the character is actually representative of more than what is being presented. The use of onstage costume changes also draws parallels between particular characters??