| Unit name | Interpreting Plays |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THTR20011 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Mark France |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
THTR10005 Performance Forms and Analysis or DRAM11004 Performance Forms and Analysis THTR10002 Production for Design and Performance or DRAM10028 Production Skills for Performance 1 |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Theatre |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
In this unit, students will learn how to read play-texts in order to understand how they operate on stage and with a view to exploring them in performance. Students will acquire skills in close textual reading, and examine the conventions of dramatic writing in which the play-text is located. They will be introduced to the importance of understanding genre in approaching a play, including the need to be alert to a writer’s deviations from relevant conventions of playmaking. In addition, they will consider the particular theatrical milieu in which the playwright worked, as well as the theatre practices (such as acting, directing and scenography) prevalent at the time of writing. They will also learn the importance of exploring the broader social, cultural and political environment, which influenced the playwright and the audience of the play. The unit builds on Staging the Text, deepening students’ critical and contextual engagement with play texts, which will generally be drawn from a particular period or genre to allow dedicated and focused study.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
(1) apply a range of approaches to reading play-texts and explored how they operate in performance;
(2) locate a play in terms of its dramatic conventions, genre and historical period, and the importance of such contextual knowledge;
(3) demonstrate their knowledge of a particular period or genre and the broader social, cultural and political environment, which influenced playwrights and audiences at the time;
(4) interpret a scene or scenes from a play, informed by contextual understanding;
(5) stage a scene or scenes, and demonstrate skills in acting and/or directing appropriate to level I
(6) analyse, make critical judgements and evaluate the effectiveness of interpretations and stagings.
Combination of synchronous and asychronous seminar and workshop sessions and self-directed exercises
1 x 15-25 minute performance = 60% of unit (choice of digital or live, depending on circumstances) ILOs 1, 4, 5
1 x 2000 critical analysis/case study = 40% of unit 1, 2, 3, 6
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THTR20011).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
