MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

ENH2450

Contemporary drama

P Snow

Synopsis This subject approaches drama (and theatre) as a constellation of processes making up a performance event. To that end lectures will look not only at a range of contemporary playtexts but also at other performance processes, such as theatre audiences and theories of directing and acting. We will cover topics such as realism, absurdism and so on and also discuss ideas about popular culture, feminisms, gender, the body and interculturalism. Tutorials/workshops will focus on the processes of making, analysing and theorising performance. We will also endeavour to attend the critique some current theatre performances in Melbourne.

Assessment Exercise (1500 words): 30% + Long essay (3000 words): 50% + Seminar participation: 20%

Prescribed texts

• Beckett Waiting for Godot Faber
• Bond Saved Methuen
• Churchill Cloud Nine in Plays one Methuen
• Fischer (ed.)The Mudrooroo/MÅller project NSWUP
• Fo Mistero Buffo Methuen
• Genet The Maids Faber
• Handke Offending the audience Methuen
• MÅller Medea in Hamletmachine PAJ Publications
• Pinter The Birthday Party Methuen
• Rame Woman Alone Methuen
• Wertenbaker The Love of the Nightingale Faber
• Williams A Streetcar Named Desire Penguin

Recommended texts

• Artaud A The theatre and its double Calder
• Aston E and Savona G Theatre as sign-system Routledge
• Bennett S Theatre audiences Routledge
• Case S Feminism and theatre Macmillan
• Mitter S Systems of rehearsal Routledge