Theatre in London Now: Histories

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 4
• Convenor: Dr Molly Flynn
• Assessment: coursework of 1500 words (40%) and 2000 words (60%)
  

What is theatrical performance, and how do we interpret it as audiences? How does making and watching theatre relate to social, political and material context? What relevance does the analysis of contemporary theatre practice and its relationship to theatre history have to our everyday lives today?

In this module, you will address these questions through extended analysis of a series of live and recorded performances drawn from the most exciting, innovative and engaging theatre taking place in London now. In conjunction with your investigation of these plays, you will gain an understanding of their place within Western theatre history from Ancient Greek theatre to new writing and contemporary live art.

This module provides an essential foundation for understanding key moments in theatre history, cultivates close critical analysis of plays and performances, and supports the development of research methods and skills that will prove essential to your success throughout your studies. You will explore vital histories, contexts and conditions from across the world that inform theatre taking place in London now. You will examine the role of the spectator in the creation of meaning and survey a range of critical perspectives available for the analysis of performance. And you will encounter a range of dramatic forms and genres, including tragedy, medieval mystery plays, early modern drama, pantomime, naturalism and realism, Brechtian drama, documentary theatre, new writing and experimental performance.

Indicative syllabus

• Introduction
• Theories of spectatorship
• Immersive theatre and the creation of meaning
• Shakespeare, theatre architectures and audience reception
• Writing and research skills development
• Histories of realism
• Epic theatre and political resistance
• New writing and in-yer-face theatre
• Pantomime and national identities

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• identify and deploy a specific critical lens to explore examples of contemporary theatre practice in historical context
• critically reflect upon a range of aspects of the theatre event
• relate materials studied across the degree to select examples of contemporary theatre practice
• demonstrate skills of research, critical reflection and writing.