DTS2870

Stages: issues in theatre history

C Worth

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject students should have developed an understanding of how to relate historical perspectives to the theoretical issues in theatre studies. They will have been expected to investigate the complex dynamics involved in all performance through historical examples and arrive at general conclusions supported by the available evidence. Theys hould have gained some knowledge of details of some key moments of change in English and Australian theatre. They should have continued to develop analytical skills appropriate to the discipline and an ability to communicate effectively.

Synopsis This subject will use key examples of the interplay of spaces, audiences, dramatic texts, political and cultural contexts, people and technology, to explore the dynamics of performance in history. The case studies will be the commerical theatre of Elizabethan England, the theatre of Restoration London, early theatrical efforts in Australian settler society, spectacular theatre in gold-rush Melbourne, and the theatrical fortunes of a Shakespeare play. We ask how theatrical presentation if related to culture and society. We investigate some key transformations in the physical and technological resources available to theatre producers, consider how social roles and performance styles interact, look at a number of theoretical issues involved in thinking about theatre history and drama performance, and try to develop an understanding of the relations between our own theatrical experience and the intertexts of past performances.

Assessment Tutorial/workshop participation and presentation: 20%
* Short essay (1500 words) or short devised performance: 30%
* Long essay (3000 words): 50%

Prescribed texts

Harris B Restoration plays Modern Library
Hartnoll P A concise history of the theatre Thames and Hudson
Kelly V Australian Felix Currency
Marlowe C Dr Faustus and other plays World's Classics
Shakespeare W Midsummer Night's Dream CUP
In addition, a subject handbook will be available from the Centre office containing extracts of other texts and material to do with stage history

Recommended texts

Gurr A The Shakespearean stage CUP
Gurr A Playgoing in Shakespeare's London CUP
Gurr A and Orrell J Rebuilding Shakespeare's globe Weidenfeld and Nicholson
Halio J Midsummer Night's Dream Manchester
Hattaway M Elizabethan popular theatre RKP
Holland P The ornament of action: Text and performance in restoration comedy CUP
Hughes D English drama 1660-1770 OUP
Love H (ed.) The Australian stage: A documented history NSWUP
Parsons P Companion to theatre in Australia Currency
Powell J Restoration theatre production RKP
Thomson P Shakespeare's theatre RKP
Williams M Australia on the popular stage: An illustrated history OUP

Reference

The Cambridge guide to world theatre CUP