116-019 French Theatre: Workshop/Performance

Formerly available as 116-221/321. Students who have completed 116-221/321 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

116-133 French I: Contemporary French B and 116-134 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.

The course will be based on no more than four short theatrical texts and will be run as a performance workshop. Some classical verse drama will be used to acquaint students with stylised forms of recitation and performance, to teach rhythm and memory. Twentieth century theatre writing will be used to teach the relation of speech with the body, and timing. The seminar will involve close study of the texts, and the workshops will involve intensive oral work, and stage skills, to prepare the performance, which will be one of the twentieth century plays. The subject will be taught in French.

• be able to study texts in their socio-historical context from both a textual and dramaturgical standpoint.

Practice tapes of 5 minutes each 50% (due fortnightly) and collective performance 50% (due at the end of semester).

Reading material will be supplied by the department:

• Ionesco, Macbett.
• Ionesco, Les Chaises.
• Ionesco, Rhinocéros.