116-019 French Theatre from Corneille to Beckett

116-007 French I: Cultural Perspectives and 116-008 French I: Language in Context II. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first year European studies, see Prerequisites.

A selection of five plays from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Classical tragedy and the romantic drama are explored through works by Corneille and Hugo, while comedy in its varying forms is explored 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 by French troupes/actors. A particular focus of the subject is the theatre as a social and artistic institution: we examine theatre design, traditions of mise-en-scène, the changing status of actors and playwrights through history, audience profiles and behaviours, relations between the theatre and political power. The subject will be taught in French.