| Module Identifier |
DR39610 |
| Module Title |
THE PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT |
| Academic Year |
2006/2007 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr Patricia A Rhodes |
| Semester |
Intended for use in future years |
| Next year offered |
N/A |
| Next semester offered |
N/A |
| Other staff |
Mr Richard A D Cheshire, Dr Alison Forsyth |
| Pre-Requisite |
Compulsory for Single Honours Drama students. |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Essay of 2500 words | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Resubmit any failed elements. Resit exam to a new paper. | 100% |
|
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
-
Examine some of the methods for analysing productions of plays in performance.
-
Apply these methods to selected productions
-
Examine the 'performance history' of selected texts and previous production choices made.
-
Understand some of the challenges and difficulties of presenting two of the texts studied for modern theatre audiences;
Brief description
The module will enable students to broaden their experience of theatrical productions. Opportunities to attend student and professional productions provide the starting point for the investigation and analysis of the way in which the different elements of a production come together to create the theatrical experience. These elements, which include the contribution of the directors, designers and performers, will be considered in isolation and in relation to each other, in so far as they contribute effectively to the realization of the text in the consciousness of the given audience. The module will look at aspects of the performance history and the critical evaluation of particular texts, and will also provide opportunities to discuss production choices and working methods with both directors and members of production teams.
Aims
-
To examine some of the methods for analysing productions of plays in performance;
-
To examine the performance history of selected texts and the production choices made in pervious productions;
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To examine a number of theatrical productions and the ways in which these have attempted to meet the theatrical challenges of the text;
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To deepen the students? understanding of the difficulties and challenges of presenting two of the texts studied for modern theatre audiences;
Content
The lectures and seminars will focus on the texts chosen for performance. Several of these will be third-year productions of texts performed as part of the Department's English-medium practical semester and the others will be performances scheduled to be seen on the theatre visit/s arranged for this module. The dates for the London theatre visits for the 2005/06 session are 14, 15, 16 December, returning after a matinee on Saturday 17 December.
Students should bear in mind their own responsibility for acquiring experience of the relevant text and bringing it to bear on their analysis of separate production events. It is also the responsibility of students to ensure that they attend the productions studied on the course. The lectures and discussions arranged with theatre practitioners are designed to be generally helpful and informative, but they should not distract attention from the proper focus of the module which is firmly on the personal experience and analysis acquired and developed by the individual student.
Students should be aware that they are expected to contribute towards the cost of the London trip. It is estimated that this will be approximately #150 (arrangements can be made with the departmental administrators to spread this cost over up to 3 instalments).
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Lecture One: Introduction to the Course, Critical Analysis and the Role of the Critic
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Lecture Two: Macbeth
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Lecture Three: The School for Scandal
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Lecture Four: Flight/ The Tempest/Morn to Midnight
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Lecture Five: The Winter's Tale
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Lecture Six: Master and Margarita and The Importance of Being Earnest
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Lecture Seven: Journey's End and The History Boys
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Lecture Eight: The Relapse
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Lecture Nine: Whalemusic and Devised Piece
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Lecture Ten: London Productions and Details
Essay Deadline - Monday 9th January. The essay question will ask students to write a 500 word review of one of the productions they have attended on this module and a 2000-2500 word essay with detailed analysis of at least two of the productions seen
Production Schedule
12 Oct - School for Scandal - Aberystwyth Arts Centre, 7.30.
16-19 Oct - Morn to Midnight - Castle Theatre, 7.30.
17-20 Oct - The Tempest - RGJ Studio, 7.45.
18-21 Oct - Flight (provisional title) - Emily Davies Studio, 7.30.
7 Nov - The Importance of Being Earnest - Aberystwyth Arts Centre, 7.30.
22 Nov - Macbeth - Aberystwyth Arts Centre, 7.30.
28 Nov-1 Dec - Master and Margarita - Castle Theatre, 7.30.
29 Nov-2 Dec - The Relapse - Emily Davies Studio, 7.30
2 Dec - The Winter's Tale - Aberystwyth Arts Centre, 7.30.
14-17 Dec - London Trip - The Woman in Black, The History Boys, The Producers, Journey's End (complete details of the London Trip will be made available in a separate booklet).
23-26 Jan - Title to be confirmed - Castle Theatre, 7.30.
24-27 Jan - Whalemusic - RGJ Studio, 7.30.
The department has arranged tickets for all London productions, but students are reminded that it is their own responsibility to ensure that they attend all other productions. Acquaintance with textual material is essential but is no substitute for attending productions. Students are also encouraged to read the relevant reviews of productions where these are available.
Module Skills
| Research skills |
Students will demonstrate the results of individual research in the form of essays, examinations and contribution in lectures and seminars. |
| Communication |
Students will demonstrate oral communication skills in seminar sessions and gain experience in selecting and analysing material for written assessments. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance |
Students will receive feedback on written assignments |
| Information Technology |
IT and information handling skills will be demonstrated through students¿ individual web based and library research and through word processed essay presentation. |
| Personal Development and Career planning |
Students will have the opportunity to explore specific areas which reflect and strengthen their individual career needs. |
| Subject Specific Skills |
Students are encouraged to develop the use of a critical and analytical awareness and to expand their vocabulary in written and oral response to issues concerning theatrical texts in performance for modern audience. |
Reading Lists
Books
** Essential Reading
(Vanbrugh, ) The Relapse
(Oxford World Classics)
Alan Bennett, , (2004) The History Boys
(Faber)
Irving Wardle, (1992) Theatre Criticism
(Routledge) This might be out of print but is available on Amazon)
Kaiser, . Morn to Midnight, (copy available in the Department Office)
Oscar Wilde The Importance of Being Earnest
(Oxford World Classics)
R. C. Sherriff, (2000) Journey's End
(Penguin Modern Classic)
Shakespeare Macbeth, The Tempest, (Cambridge edition),The Winter¿s Tale, (Arden edition)
Sheridan (1998) The School for Scandal
Nick Hern
The Reader for DR 39610 Production Environment (available from the Department Office).
** Recommended Text
David Scott Kastan (ed.) (1999) Blackwell Companion to Shakespeare,
Peter Brook, (1990) The Empty Space
(Penguin)
Richard Hornby, (1995) Script into Performance
(Applause Books)
Stanley Wells and Sarah Stanton (ed.) Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare on the Stage,
W. B. Worthen, Shakespeare and the Force of Modern Performance
(CUP)
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6