116-221 Performing The Text: The French Theatre From Corneille To Beckett

Note

Available as 116-321 at 3rd-year level.

Availability

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

116-115 or 116-202, or equivalent.

Contact

Subject Description

A selection of plays from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Tragedy in its varying forms is explored through works by Corneille, Hugo and Anouilh and comedy through works by Molière, Marivaux and Beckett. Each play is studied in its socio-historical context from both a textual and dramaturgical (performance) standpoint, using videotaped productions (where available) by the Comédie Française. A particular focus of the course is the theatre as a social and artistic institution: theatre design, traditions of mise-en-scène, the changing status of actors and dramaturges, audience profiles and behaviours, relations between the theatre and political power.

Assessment

Attendance and participation in discussion; one 2000 word seminar paper, (subsequently written up) and a two hour final examination.

Prescribed Texts

• Pierre Corneille, Horace. (ed. Christian Gouillart), Paris, Larousse, 1990.
• Molière, Les Fourberies de Scapin. (ed. Yves Bomati), Paris, Larousse, 1990.
• Marivaux, Le Jeu de l'Amour et du Hasard. Paris, Larousse, 1985.
• Victor Hugo, Hernani. (ed. Denis Canal), Paris, Larousse-Bordas, 1996.
• Jean Anouilh, Antigone. Ed.de La Table ronde, 1988.
• Samuel Beckett, En attendant Godot. Paris, Editions de Minuit, 1952.