Theatre in London Now: Theories

• Credit value: 0 credits at Level 5
• Convenor: Dr Molly Flynn
• Assessment: two pieces of coursework of 1000 words (25% each) and a group viva (50%)

This is a research-led module based on your study of five set performances taking place in London now. It builds on the knowledge and skills you developed in Theatre in London Now: Histories regarding the social and historical contexts of theatrical production and reception. In this module, you turn your attention to the insights you can garner through applying a range of critical concepts to a set of live and digitised performance works, including but not limited to genre, politics, performativity, liveness and authorship.

You will attend one taught session per term towards the preparation of written and verbal assessment. These sessions will serve as development of your research and writing skills, and preparation for your group viva assessment, an hour-long oral examination in the summer term. In developing your independent research skills, Theatre in London Now: Theories acts as essential preparation for the Level 6 module Theatre in London Now: Student-Led Project.

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

• identify and deploy a range of research methods to analyse text, context and performance
• critically analyse live performance works
• demonstrate skills of independent research, critical reflection and writing
• synthesise critical insights about set live performance works.