Modernism and the Stage

Course Content:

This module provides an opportunity to explore in detail the key facets of Modernism, as
it was manifested in theatre.

Autumn semester:
The first part of the module explores the themes and principles of Naturalism in theory
and practice, working towards the performance of a scene from a naturalistic play.
Students study its historical context and conventions alongside the work of key
dramatists and directors who helped to shape Naturalistic theatre. The exploration of
this key movement in modern theatre is underpinned by practice. Key scenes are
explored in detail and appropriate processes used to realise them in performance.

Topics:
? Introduction to Twentieth Century Drama. History, context, and principles of
Modernism. Introduction to Naturalism.
? Playwrights, plays and themes discussed. Introduction to Stanivlaski?s techniques
? Selection of naturalistic scenes for active analysis cycle and performance.
? Active Analysis 1: Reading the scene, Discussing the scene, Discuss findings of
textual research/columning; Perform score of action, Silent etude
? Active Analysis 2: silent etude, Improvisation of scene, Discuss improvisation
? Active Analysis 3: Presentation of silent étude followed by Tutor feedback and
peer review; Review the work.

Spring semester:
Students explore ?anti-realist? forms of Modernist performance such as Dada, Symbolism,
Surrealism and Absurdism in theory and practice, working towards a group presentation
which combines performance with historical and theoretical contextualisation.
The conventions, themes and principles of these movements are explored in terms of
their social, cultural and political concerns.

Topics:
? Intensive 3 week workshop on Meyerhold & Vakhtangov
? Intensive 3 week workshop on Bertolt Brecht
? Rehearsals

Teaching: Two-hour classes weekly (lectures, seminars and practical workshops).

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? 10 min Group Performance of a scene from a Naturalistic play (end of Semester
1)
? 15 ? 20 min Performance Essay (end of Semester 2)
STUDY OPTION 2: 10 minute group performance of a scene from a naturalistic play
STUDY OPTION 3: 10-minute group-based performance essay on a non-naturalistic form
of Modernist performance

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer