Module Identifier DR10120  
Module Title INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE STUDS 1  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Professor Michael Mangan  
Semester Semester 1  
Co-Requisite DR10220  
Course delivery Lecture   20 Hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   10 Hours  
Assessment Essay   2 x essay's, essay 1 2000 words = 30%, essay 2 2500 words = 30%   60%  
  Exam   2 Hours   40%  

General description


CONTENT:


Texts and examples of theatrical and performance practices from the Western theatrical tradition, with particular attention being paid to the following aspects and concepts: the actor; the director; the audience; performance.
A reading list is provided but other selected performances and readings will be announced at the beginning of the academic year.


AIMS:


To examine some of the methods and problems of studying theatre and performance
To examine certain key aspects and concepts of Western theatre and performance, in their historical, social and intellectual contexts
To apply these concepts to a series of exemplary dramatic and performance texts


LEARNING OUTCOMES:


Upon completion of this module students should be able:


to respond analytically to a range of theatrical texts and modes of live performance
to articulate an awareness of relationships between texts, performances and cultural contexts
to demonstrate an understanding of key concepts and methodologies within theatre and performance studies


LECTURE SCHEDULE:


Style in Recent Theatre History:


WEEK 1: Introduction: The Concept of Style
   Realism and Naturalism (DMD)


WEEK 2: Absurdism: Caught in the Frame (DIR)
   Absurdism 2 (DIR)


WEEK 3: Real but not Natural (istic): Epic Theatre and Frame-Breaking (DIR)
   German Expressionism (DMD)


WEEK 4: Subjectivity and Revelation: Towards a Political Expressionism (DIR)
   Political Expressionism 2 (DIR)


Style in Performance and Design:


WEEK 5: This is not Real: The Performer`s Body in Dramatic Fictions (DIR)
   Concepts of scenography 1 (RD/SB)


WEEK 6: Concepts of scenography 2 (RD/SB)
   Concepts of scenograohy 3 (RD/SB)


WEEK 7: No lectures


WEEK 8: Theatre in Society
   Is Theatre Necessary? (DIR/RO)


WEEK 9: Augusto Boal: tragedy as a coercive system (DIR/RO)
   John McGrat: radical popular theatre in Britain (DIR/RO)


WEEK 10: The Political Economy of Britsh Theatre (DIR/RO)
   Non-Western Theatre
   India (DMD and Priya Pawar)


WEEK 11: Japan (DMD and MP)
   Summary and Conclusion (DMD)

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
Ibsen, H. A Doll's House.
Pocock, I. The Miller and His Men.
Etheridge, G. The Man of Mode.
Shakespeare, W. A Midsummer Night's Dream.
** Recommended Background
Brown, J Russell (Ed). (1997) Oxford Illustrated History of the Theatre. Oxford
Wallis and Shepherd. (1998) Studying Plays. Arnold
Brook, P. (1990) The Empty Space. Penguin