GROUP SEMINAR PRESENTATION, 0.33HRS [Learning Outcomes 1-4]
COURSEWORK, Essay [Learning Outcomes 1-4]

The module will study and evaluate the changes, continuities, innovations, developments, key moments, themes and politics, of British theatre from the late 1980s (the resignation of Margaret Thatcher, the fall of the Berlin Wall) through to the present. An underlying theme of the module will be how drama and theatre reflected, produced or provoked debates and ideas about social, cultural and political identity, as well as how the nature and legitimacy of theatre itself was caught up in such debates as the object of critical scrutiny.

Examples of texts which may be studied include: Richard Norton-Taylor, The Colour of Justice; Sarah Kane, Blasted; Alistair Beaton, Feelgood; Jonathan Harvey, Beautiful Thing; Roy Williams, Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads; Mark Ravenhill, Some Explicit Polaroids.

Lectures will outline historical or theoretical context, along with key areas of debate, some of which will be followed up by tutor-led seminars to facilitate further discussion and analysis. Student-led group seminars (15-20 minutes) will enable students to follow through and present findings or analysis within an overall framework set by the module tutor. The writing of an essay will enable students to demonstrate analytical and critical skills in relation to at least two texts.

IT Software (e.g. word processing, PowerPoint)
Library
Internet Access
CD-ROMs as appropriate to the topic

Chambers, Colin and Mike Prior (1987) Playwright's Progress: Patterns of Postwar British Drama (Amber Lane Press)
Innes, Christopher (1992) Modern British Drama: 1890-1990 (Cambridge University Press)
Sierz, Aleks. In-Yer-Face: British Theatre Today (Faber) 2001
Dromgoole, Dominic. The Full Room (Methuen) 2000
Croft, Susan. ...she also wrote plays (Faber) 2001