Theatre in London Now: Theories

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 5
• Convenor: to be confirmed
• Assessment: coursework of 2000 words (40%) and 3000 words (60%)

What claims have theatre makers, theorists and critics made regarding the role of theatre and performance in the world? How have they analysed the social, educational and aesthetic effects of theatre and performance? How do theoretical arguments about theatre and performance and theatre practices themselves relate to historical and material contexts?

This module builds upon the knowledge and skills developed in Theatre in London Now: Histories. It extends our analysis of live and recorded performances drawn from the most exciting, innovative and engaging theatre taking place in London now, and considers their relationship to the development of theatre and performance theories. The forms and practices we will examine include theatrical naturalism, avant-garde theatre, performance art, feminist and queer performance, and anti-racist deconstructions of the theatrical canon.

We will investigate the relationship between theatrical function, representational form and historical circumstance, examining the propositions that theatre makers and critics have made regarding the role of theatre in society. We will explore definitions of the nature of theatre and performance offered by theorists and theatre makers, asking questions about ‘liveness’, ‘mediatisation’, ‘performativity’ and the ways in which social identities come to be constructed in and through performance.

Analysis of five contemporary productions will form the basis of discussion in seminars and the assessments, providing opportunities to apply theoretical debates to current performance practice.

Indicative syllabus

• Theatricality and naturalism
• Theories of avant-garde
• Political theatre
• Theatre and national identities
• Introduction to performance studies
• Reenactment
• Performance
• Liveness
• Gender and performance
• Race and representation

By the end of this module, you will:

• be familiar with the major debates in theatre and performance theory of the modern and contemporary periods
• understand the relationship between theatre and performance theories, practices and their historical contexts
• be able to apply theoretical concepts to different examples of theatre and performance practice
• demonstrate skills in researching, analysing and critiquing theatre, performance and associated writings.