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Introduction to Play Analysis - TFT00001C

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

The principal aim of this module is to introduce you to the varied challenges of interpreting the performance implications and potentialities of playscripts from different periods. It will centre around a range of core texts, which are chosen both for their stylistic and chronological diversity, and for the interesting thematic continuities and contrasts between them. Each week, we will use a different analytical framework to explore two or more of the plays on the core text list. On successful completion of the module, you will be able to analyse new play texts effectively from a variety of different perspectives.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

to introduce first-term students to the challenges involved in imagining and extrapolating potential performances from playscripts from a variety of contrasted theatrical periods

to develop appropriate skills in textual interpretation, both analytically and practically

to encourage an historically alert sense of the distinct tasks scripts from different periods are designed to perform, as well as the implications of these differences for our analysis of the scripts

to begin to explore the ways in which the scripts are inflected by the diverse performance circumstances (theatre design, acting traditions, audience expectations, censorship constraints, etc.) which they take for granted, but do not explicitly describe.

Module learning outcomes

students will have acquired the basic skills to read and interpret playscripts from contrasting periods in ways which make apt allowance for the very different demands they make upon, and opportunities they offer to, their interpreters

students will have gained experience in workshop experiments which explore practically the performance potentiality of scripts originating from radically different theatrical and cultural circumstances

students will have experimented with analysing the impact of different material and cultural circumstances upon the scripts produced within and for them

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Written feedback on summative work will be provided to you within 20 working days of your deadline.

Indicative reading

·students will have acquired the basic skills to read and interpret playscripts from contrasting periods in ways which make apt allowance for the very different demands they make upon, and opportunities they offer to, their interpreters

  • students will have gained experience in workshop experiments which explore practically the performance potentiality of scripts originating from radically different theatrical and cultural circumstances
  • students will have experimented with analysing the impact of different material and cultural circumstances upon the scripts produced within and for them


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.