ENH4320

Theories of rehearsal and performance: writing, performativity, text

T Threadgold

12 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives Students successfully completing this subject should have developed an understanding of the differences between texts written for performance and the processes of making theatre performance in rehearsal; understood the different reading practices involved in literary as opposed to theatrical readings; learned to explore several differently contextualised meanings of the term writing; begun to understand the difference between the theoretical concept performativity and the actual performances of the self involved in rehearsal; explored in practical ways processes of writing for the theatre; understood some of the semiotic complexities of, and between, different modes of representation, eg play text, theatre performance, film.

Synopsis This subject will explore the relationship between the processes of reading a play text as literature, using it as a script for rehearsal into performance, and scripting it for a film. We will use a small number of texts as the basis for these explorations along with videos of rehearsal practice, attendance at some performances, and viewing of films made from the texts concerned. The final module of the subject will involve the study of a reversal of these processes and consider the writing of a play or a film script from the medium of `real life', or from a novel. One important theme will be concerned with the concept of `performativity', particularly as articulated in the theoretical writing of Judith Butler, and with its relevance to the issues raised in this subject as a whole.

Assessment Text analysis (2000 words): 25%
* Performance analysis (2000 words): 25%
* folio of three theatre reviews or short script for film or theatre (2000 words): 25%
* theoretical essay (3000 words): 25%

Prescribed texts

Chekhov A Three Sisters
Churchill C Vinegar Tom
Miller A The Crucible
Rayson H Hotel Sorrento
Strindberg A Miss Julie

References

Birch D The language of drama Macmillan, 1991
Butler J Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity Routledge, 1990
Carlson M Performance: A critical introduction Routledge, 1996
Williams R Drama in performance Open Learning, 1968