EN9A7 Drama and Performance Theory
The aim of this module is to introduce students to drama and performance theory, by giving them the opportunity to explore and discuss some of the methodologies, debates and conceptual approaches to drama and performance, both current and historical. It will encourage students to consider these methodologies when reading primary material, and to this end five key primary texts are allotted for the module which will encourage dialectical consideration of theory and practice. There will normally be a tie-in theatre trip.
There will be one 2 hour seminar/workshop per week in the Autumn term, and the module will be assessed by a 6,000 word essay. Most classes will be on Monday late afternoon this year, but because of theatre trips and staff availability, we will negotiate the final timetable in week 1.
This is now updated for 2026-27. Please address any queries to the module convenor, Dr Steve Purcell, on s.purcell@warwick.ac.uk.
Please read all the primary texts before the start of term (or as many as you can). We will be assuming familiarity with them from week 1. Please also read the following excerpts from Gerould for the Week 1 class: Artaud, ‘The Theatre and its Double’ (pp. 433-443); Brecht, ‘The Modern Theatre is the Epic Theatre’ and ‘Alienation Effects in Chinese Acting’ (pp. 444-461) and Boal, 'Theater of the Oppressed' (pp. 462-473).
The plays you will need to acquire and read for 2026-27 are:
Euripides, The Bacchae (trans. David Greig), via Drama Online.
William Shakespeare, Othello, via Drama Online.
Lolita Chakrabarti, Red Velvet, via Drama Online.
Richard Bean, One Man, Two Guvnors, via Drama Online.
Class timetable (running order tbc)
1: Dr Steve Purcell: Spectatorship. Bacchae and Othello.
2: Dr Beth Sharrock: Theatre and Hauntology. Othello.
3: Dr Matt Franks: Theatre and History. Red Velvet.
4: Dr Steve Purcell: Tragedy. Bacchae and Othello.
5: Dr Steve Purcell: Comedy. One Man, Two Guvnors.
6: Dr Freya Verlander: Theatre and Medicine.
7: Dr Jennifer Edwards: Theatre and Affect. Othello.
8: Dr Steve Purcell: Adaptation. Bacchae, Red Velvet, One Man, Two Guvnors.
9: Dr Steve Purcell: Theatre in Context 1. Visit to RSC The Three Musketeers.
10: Dr Steve Purcell: Theatre in Context 2. Discussion of RSC The Three Musketeers.
Bibliography
The reading for each week will be advertised on the course Moodle; typically, we will be discussing one play or performance in relation to a number of theoretical texts.
You will be provided with digital copies of most of the theoretical texts. However, you will need constant access to your own copy of the course reader (you may want a physical copy to scribble in, but it is also electronically via the library):
Gerould, Daniel (2000) [ed.] Theatre/Theory/Theatre: the Major Critical Texts, New York: Applause Books. This is a key textbook for the module and will form the basis of multiple weeks' reading, including Week 1, when we will discuss the excerpts by Artaud, Brecht and Boal.