106-232 Modern Drama

Note

Available as 106-332 at 3rd-year level.

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Subject Description

This subject studies the relationships between modernism, postmodernism and the Western drama of this century, so that students will be closely familiar with the main authors, forms and geopolitical sites that are now seen to constitute the mainstream of the modern drama tradition. They will be able to understand modern theories of the modern stage and basic problems involved in thinking of drama as both text and stage performance. They will further understand the political and cultural dimension of drama in the modern period.

Assessment

Written work of not more than 5000 words.

Prescribed Texts

• S Beckett, Waiting for Godot. Faber.
• S Beckett, Endgame. Faber.
• T Stoppard, Travesties. Faber.
• B Brecht, The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Methuen.
• P Handke, Offending the Audience. Methuen.
• J Osborne, Look Back in Anger. Faber.
• C Churchill, Plays: Two. Methuen.
• D Williamson, Emerald City. Currency Press.
• J P Sartre, No Exit and Other Plays. Penguin.
• E Ionesco, Rhinoceros. Penguin.
• H Ibsen, Four Major Plays. OUP.
• A Miller, Death of a Salesman. Penguin.
• H Pinter, The Caretaker. Methuen.
• L Pirandello, Six Characters in Search of an Author. Heinemann.
• D Mamet, Glengarry Glenross. Grove Press.
• P Weiss, Marat/Sade. Calder and Boyars.
• A Strindberg, Plays: One. Methuen.
• T Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire. Penguin.