Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Review work (equivalent to 2000 words)	50%
Semester Exam	1 Hours	50%
Supplementary Exam	2 Hours Resubmit any failed elements. Resit exam to a new paper.	100%

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;
To examine a number of theatrical productions and the ways in which these have attempted to meet the theatrical challenges of the text;
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).

Lecture One: Introduction to the Course, Critical Analysis and the Role of the Critic
Lecture Two: Macbeth
Lecture Three: The School for Scandal
Lecture Four: Flight/ The Tempest/Morn to Midnight
Lecture Five: The Winter's Tale
Lecture Six: Master and Margarita and The Importance of Being Earnest
Lecture Seven: Journey's End and The History Boys
Lecture Eight: The Relapse
Lecture Nine: Whalemusic and Devised Piece
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.

Skills Type	Skills details
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.
Research skills	Students will demonstrate the results of individual research in the form of essays, examinations and contribution in lectures and seminars.
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.

Course Delivery

Assessment

Learning Outcomes

Brief description

Aims

Content

Module Skills

Reading List

Notes