Module Information
Module Identifier
TP20520
Module Title
ENGLISH DRAMA 1950-1980
Academic Year
2011/2012
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
---|---|
Lecture | 10 x 2 hour Lecture/Seminar |
Assessment
Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
---|---|---|
Semester Assessment | Essay (2500 words) | 50% |
Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 50% |
Supplementary Assessment | Essay (2500 words) - (to a new title) | 50% |
Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Show an analytical understanding of a range of dramatic texts and production issues
Organize informed and original arguments reflecting research and independent thought in the subject area of the course
Demonstrate an intelligent awareness of current debates about the social purpose and ramifications of drama in the period under review
Brief description
This module is the first of a series of modules within the revised Theatre curriculum which offers a detailed exploration of a selection of recent British drama texts, within a cultural and political context. Students will be given the opportunity to consider theatrical problems and consequences of previous and possible productions.
Through directed reading and weekly discussions students will be encouraged to develop original ideas about the specifically theatrical dimensions and demands of the texts under review.
Through directed reading and weekly discussions students will be encouraged to develop original ideas about the specifically theatrical dimensions and demands of the texts under review.
Content
Teaching Programme:
Lecture 1: Tuesday 4 October: Bringing the War Back Home (1): John Whiting, Saint’s Day (1951)
Relevant reading:
Hayman, Ronald (1972), Contemporary Dramatists: John Whiting
Rabey, David Ian (2003), English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Robinson, Gabrielle (1988), A Private Mythology: The Manuscripts and Plays of John Whiting
Salmon, Eric (1979), The Dark Journey: John Whiting as Dramatist London: Barrie and Jenkins
Whiting, John, Saint’s Day in Plays: One (1999), London: Oberon
Whiting, John (1999) At Ease in a Bright Red Tie: Writings on Theatre London: Oberon
Lecture 2: Tuesday 11 October: Bringing the War Back Home (2): John Arden, Serjeant Musgrave’s Dance (1959)
Relevant reading:
Arden, John, (1982) Serjeant Musgrave’s Dance London: Methuen student edition Arden, John, (1977) To Present the Pretence London: Methuen
Dahl, Mary Karen, (1987) Political Violence in Drama Michigan UP
Gray, Frances (1982), John Arden Basingstoke: Macmillan
Hunt, Albert (1974), Arden: A Study of his Plays London: Methuen
Rabey, David Ian (2003), English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Wike, Jonathan (ed.), (1995) John Arden and Margaretta D’Arcy: A Casebook New York: Garland
Lecture 3: Tuesday 18 October: Bringing the War Back Home (3): Joan Littlewood and Theatre Workshop, Oh! What a Lovely War (1963)
Relevant reading:
Holdsworth, Nadine (2006) Joan Littlewood London: Routledge
Holdsworth, Nadine (2011) Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Cambridge UP
Leach, Robert (2006) Theatre Workshop: Joan Littlewood and the Making of Modern British Theatre Exeter UP
Paget, Derek (2004) ‘Case Study: Theatre Workshop's Oh! What a Lovely War’ in Kershaw, Baz (ed.) The Cambridge History of British Theatre, vol 3 Cambridge UP, pp. 117-32
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Theatre Workshop and Littlewood, Joan (2006) Oh! What a Lovely War London: Methuen student edition
Lecture 4: Tuesday 25 October: ‘No Good Brave Causes Left’ (1): John Osborne, Look Back in Anger (1956)
Relevant reading:
Banham, Martin, (1969) John Osborne
Carter, Alan (1969, 1974) John Osborne Edinburgh
Gilleman, Luc (2001) John Osborne: Vituperative Artist London: Routledge
Osborne, John (1978) Look Back in Anger London: Faber
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Sierz, Aleks (2008) John Osborne’s ‘Look Back in Anger’Continuum
Taylor, John Russell (ed.) (1968) John Osborne: ‘Look Back in Anger’: A Casebook London: Methuen
Lecture 5: Tuesday 1 November: ‘No Good Brave Causes Left’ (2): David Hare, Plenty (1978)
Relevant reading:
Dean, J. F., (1990) David Hare Boston
Donesky, Finlay, (1996) David Hare Westport
Hare, David, (2000) Plenty London: Faber
Olva, J. L. (1990) David Hare: Theatricalising Politics Ann Arbor UP
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Zeifman, Hirsh (ed.) (1994) David Hare: A Casebook New York
Lecture 6: Tuesday 8 November: The Territorial Imperative and the Regal Female (1): Ann Jellicoe, The Sport of My Mad Mother (1958)
Relevant reading:
Jellicoe, Ann The Sport of My Mad Mother – out of print, photocopies available from the departmental secretaries’ office
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Assignment week
Lecture 7: Tuesday 22 November: The Territorial Imperative and the Regal Female (2): Harold Pinter, The Homecoming (1965)
Relevant reading:
Batty, Mark (2005) About Pinter London: Faber
Billington, Michael (1996, 2007) The Life and Work of Harold Pinter London: Faber
Cahn, V. L. (1994) Gender and Power in the Plays of Harold Pinter Basingstoke: Macmillan
Lahr, John and Anthea (eds.) (1974) A Casebook on Harold Pinter’s ‘The Homecoming’ London: Harper Collins
Naismith, Bill (2000) Harold Pinter: Faber Critical Guides: ‘The Caretaker’, ‘The Birthday Party’, ‘The Homecoming’ London: Faber
Pinter, Harold (1991) The Homecoming London: Faber
Quigley, Austin E. (1975), The Pinter Problem Princeton
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Raby, Peter (ed.) (2001) The Cambridge Companion to Harold Pinter Cambridge UP
Smith, Ian (ed.) (2005) Pinter in the Theatre London: NHB
Lecture 8: Tuesday 29 November: Mean Simplicities: Edward Bond, Saved (1965)
Relevant reading:
Bond, Edward (2000) Saved London: Methuen student edition
Hay, Malcolm, and Roberts, Philip (1980) Bond: A Study of his Plays London: Methuen
Hirst, David (1985) Edward Bond Basingstoke: Macmillan
Mangan, Michael (1998) Edward Bond Plymouth: Northcote
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Lecture 9: Tuesday 6 December: Power, Humour and Sexuality: Peter Barnes, The Ruling Class (1968) and The Bewitched (1974)
Relevant reading:
Barnes, Peter (1996) Plays: One London: Methuen
Dukore, Bernard (1995) Barnestorm New York: Garland
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Rabey, David Ian (2005) ‘Peter Barnes: A Memorial in Correspondence’, in Contemporary Theatre Review, vol. 15 no. 2, pp. 252-258.
Woolland, Brian (2004) Dark Attractions: The Theatre of Peter Barnes London: Methuen
Lecture 10: Tuesday 13 December: A Tradition of Revolt: Howard Brenton, The Romans in Britain (1980)
Relevant reading:
Boon, Richard (1991) Brenton the Playwright London: Methuen
Brenton, Howard (1990) Plays: Two London: Methuen
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Lecture 1: Tuesday 4 October: Bringing the War Back Home (1): John Whiting, Saint’s Day (1951)
Relevant reading:
Hayman, Ronald (1972), Contemporary Dramatists: John Whiting
Rabey, David Ian (2003), English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Robinson, Gabrielle (1988), A Private Mythology: The Manuscripts and Plays of John Whiting
Salmon, Eric (1979), The Dark Journey: John Whiting as Dramatist London: Barrie and Jenkins
Whiting, John, Saint’s Day in Plays: One (1999), London: Oberon
Whiting, John (1999) At Ease in a Bright Red Tie: Writings on Theatre London: Oberon
Lecture 2: Tuesday 11 October: Bringing the War Back Home (2): John Arden, Serjeant Musgrave’s Dance (1959)
Relevant reading:
Arden, John, (1982) Serjeant Musgrave’s Dance London: Methuen student edition Arden, John, (1977) To Present the Pretence London: Methuen
Dahl, Mary Karen, (1987) Political Violence in Drama Michigan UP
Gray, Frances (1982), John Arden Basingstoke: Macmillan
Hunt, Albert (1974), Arden: A Study of his Plays London: Methuen
Rabey, David Ian (2003), English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Wike, Jonathan (ed.), (1995) John Arden and Margaretta D’Arcy: A Casebook New York: Garland
Lecture 3: Tuesday 18 October: Bringing the War Back Home (3): Joan Littlewood and Theatre Workshop, Oh! What a Lovely War (1963)
Relevant reading:
Holdsworth, Nadine (2006) Joan Littlewood London: Routledge
Holdsworth, Nadine (2011) Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Cambridge UP
Leach, Robert (2006) Theatre Workshop: Joan Littlewood and the Making of Modern British Theatre Exeter UP
Paget, Derek (2004) ‘Case Study: Theatre Workshop's Oh! What a Lovely War’ in Kershaw, Baz (ed.) The Cambridge History of British Theatre, vol 3 Cambridge UP, pp. 117-32
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Theatre Workshop and Littlewood, Joan (2006) Oh! What a Lovely War London: Methuen student edition
Lecture 4: Tuesday 25 October: ‘No Good Brave Causes Left’ (1): John Osborne, Look Back in Anger (1956)
Relevant reading:
Banham, Martin, (1969) John Osborne
Carter, Alan (1969, 1974) John Osborne Edinburgh
Gilleman, Luc (2001) John Osborne: Vituperative Artist London: Routledge
Osborne, John (1978) Look Back in Anger London: Faber
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Sierz, Aleks (2008) John Osborne’s ‘Look Back in Anger’Continuum
Taylor, John Russell (ed.) (1968) John Osborne: ‘Look Back in Anger’: A Casebook London: Methuen
Lecture 5: Tuesday 1 November: ‘No Good Brave Causes Left’ (2): David Hare, Plenty (1978)
Relevant reading:
Dean, J. F., (1990) David Hare Boston
Donesky, Finlay, (1996) David Hare Westport
Hare, David, (2000) Plenty London: Faber
Olva, J. L. (1990) David Hare: Theatricalising Politics Ann Arbor UP
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Zeifman, Hirsh (ed.) (1994) David Hare: A Casebook New York
Lecture 6: Tuesday 8 November: The Territorial Imperative and the Regal Female (1): Ann Jellicoe, The Sport of My Mad Mother (1958)
Relevant reading:
Jellicoe, Ann The Sport of My Mad Mother – out of print, photocopies available from the departmental secretaries’ office
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Assignment week
Lecture 7: Tuesday 22 November: The Territorial Imperative and the Regal Female (2): Harold Pinter, The Homecoming (1965)
Relevant reading:
Batty, Mark (2005) About Pinter London: Faber
Billington, Michael (1996, 2007) The Life and Work of Harold Pinter London: Faber
Cahn, V. L. (1994) Gender and Power in the Plays of Harold Pinter Basingstoke: Macmillan
Lahr, John and Anthea (eds.) (1974) A Casebook on Harold Pinter’s ‘The Homecoming’ London: Harper Collins
Naismith, Bill (2000) Harold Pinter: Faber Critical Guides: ‘The Caretaker’, ‘The Birthday Party’, ‘The Homecoming’ London: Faber
Pinter, Harold (1991) The Homecoming London: Faber
Quigley, Austin E. (1975), The Pinter Problem Princeton
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Raby, Peter (ed.) (2001) The Cambridge Companion to Harold Pinter Cambridge UP
Smith, Ian (ed.) (2005) Pinter in the Theatre London: NHB
Lecture 8: Tuesday 29 November: Mean Simplicities: Edward Bond, Saved (1965)
Relevant reading:
Bond, Edward (2000) Saved London: Methuen student edition
Hay, Malcolm, and Roberts, Philip (1980) Bond: A Study of his Plays London: Methuen
Hirst, David (1985) Edward Bond Basingstoke: Macmillan
Mangan, Michael (1998) Edward Bond Plymouth: Northcote
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Lecture 9: Tuesday 6 December: Power, Humour and Sexuality: Peter Barnes, The Ruling Class (1968) and The Bewitched (1974)
Relevant reading:
Barnes, Peter (1996) Plays: One London: Methuen
Dukore, Bernard (1995) Barnestorm New York: Garland
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Rabey, David Ian (2005) ‘Peter Barnes: A Memorial in Correspondence’, in Contemporary Theatre Review, vol. 15 no. 2, pp. 252-258.
Woolland, Brian (2004) Dark Attractions: The Theatre of Peter Barnes London: Methuen
Lecture 10: Tuesday 13 December: A Tradition of Revolt: Howard Brenton, The Romans in Britain (1980)
Relevant reading:
Boon, Richard (1991) Brenton the Playwright London: Methuen
Brenton, Howard (1990) Plays: Two London: Methuen
Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 London: Longman
Module Skills
Skills Type | Skills details |
---|---|
Application of Number | Not developed |
Communication | Student will demonstrate oral communication skills in seminar sessions and gain experience in selecting and analysing material for written assessments. This is assessed directly through both Assessments |
Improving own Learning and Performance | Self-regulation, motivation and time-management skills are developed through the module and are demanded for the successful completion of its assignments. These skills are directly assessed through both Assessments |
Information Technology | The ability to utilize information technology both in the research for and delivery of written assignments is assessed directly in both Assessments |
Personal Development and Career planning | Transferable skills (managing personal workloads and meeting deadlines, designing and realizing research project) are developed through the completion of assessment tasks |
Problem solving | Analytical problem solving, outcome recognition and the identificaton of appropriate strategies and procedures are encouraged and assessed across the duration of the module |
Research skills | Appropriate personal research and the development of effective personal research practices are directly assessed through both Assessments |
Subject Specific Skills | See QAA Dance, Drama and Performance Subject Benchmakr Statement (Version 2007). The following subject specific skills are developed and partly assessed: |
Team work | Effective group work through negotiating ideas and opinions is addressed through the seminars and seminar presentations |
Reading List
Essential ReadingArden, John (1982) Serjeant Musgrave's Dance Methuen Student edition Primo search Barnes, Peter (1996) Plays: One Methuen Primo search Bond, Edward (2000) Saved Methuen Student Edition Primo search Brenton, Howard (1990) Plays: Two Methuen Primo search Hare, David (2000) Plenty Faber Primo search Jellicoe, Ann The Sport of My Mad Mother Out of print, photocopies available from departmental secretaries' office. Primo search Osborne, John (1978) Look back in Anger Faber Primo search Pinter, Harold (1991) The Homecoming Faber Primo search Rabey, David Ian (2003) English Drama Since 1940 Long Primo search Theatre Workshop and Littlewood, Joan (2006) Oh! What a Lovely War Methuen Student Edition Primo search Whiting, John (1999) Saint's Day in Plays: One London: Oberon Primo search Recommended Background
Acheson, J (1993) British and Irish Drama Since 1960 Macmillan Primo search Bull, John (2001) Dictionaries of Literary Biography Volume 233: British and Irish Dramatists Since World War Two, Second Series Gale Primo search Bull, John (1984) New British Political Dramatists Macmillan Primo search Cohn, Ruby (1991) Retreats from Realism in Recent English Drama Cambridge UP Primo search Demastes, W.W. (ed) (1996) British Playwrights 1956-1995 Greenwood Primo search Hinchcliffe, A.P. (1974) British Theatre 1950-1970 Oxford Primo search Holdsworth, Nadine and Luckhurst, Mary (eds) (2007) Concise Companion to British and Irish Drama Blackwell Primo search Itzin, Catherine (1980) Stages in the Revolution Methuen Primo search Kennedy, A.K. (1975) Six Dramatists in Search of a Language Cambridge UP Primo search Kerensky, Oleg (1977) The New British drama Primo search Kershaw, Baz (ed) (2004) The Cambridge History of British Theatre Vol. 3: Since 1896 Cambridge UP Primo search Lacey, Steven (1995) British realist Theatre: The New Wave in its Context, 1950-1976 Routledge Primo search Luckhurst, Mary (ed) (2006) A Companion to Modern British and Irish Drama, 1880-2005 Blackwell Primo search Rebellato, Dan (1999) 1956 and All That Routledge Primo search Reinelt, Janette G. (1994) After Brecht: British Epic Theatre Ann Arbor Primo search Shank, Theodore (ed) (1996) Contemporary British Theatre Macmillan Primo search Taylor, John Russell (1969) Anger and After Methuen Primo search Taylor, John Russell (1978) The Second Wave Methuen Primo search Wandor, Michelene (1987) Look Back in Gender Methuen Primo search Worth, Katharine (1972) Revolutions in English Drama Edinburgh: Bell Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5