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HL 805 Drama: from Page to Performance

This subject serves as an introduction to the analysis of drama, theatre, and performance, taking examples from various national theatres. In order to emphasise the performance element, film adaptations of the dramatic text or recordings of the plays, when available, will form part of the subject material, as well as the written versions. Ultimately, students will gain an understanding of the dramatic works in their theatrical, social and historical contexts and it is hoped that the subject will serve as a initiation into the exciting world of performance.

  1. Core Texts:
    Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
    Hamlet by William Shakespeare
    The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov
    Cloud Nine by Caryl Churchill
    Two Plays by Kuo Pao Kun: Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral & theSpirits Play by Wee, C. J. W.-L. & Lee Chee Keng (Editors)
  2. Films:(held in the library and which will be screened in class)
    Waiting for Godot Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead The Dutchman
  3. Reference Works: (held in the library) Theorizing Practice : Redefining Theatre History by Peter Holland (Editor), W. B. Worthen (Editor)
    A Source Book in Theatrical History by A. M. Nagler
    The Oxford Illustrated History of Theatre (Oxford Illustrated Histories) by John Russell Brown (Editor)
    Theories of the Theatre: A Historical and Critical Survey, from the Greeks to the Presentby Marvin Carlson
    Performance: A Critical Introduction by Marvin Carlson
    Method of Instruction Lectures : 2 hours per week Tutorials : 1 hour per week
    Course Assessment Continuous Assessment : 40 %
    Final Examination: 60 % _____ 100% _____
Lecturer Office Room No. DID E-mail Address
Daniel Jernigan*     djernigan@ntu.edu.sg
* Course Co-ordinator Proposed Lecture Schedule
Week No. Topics Readings
1 Week
starting 25 July		 No Lectures  
2 Week
1 August 		Lecture 2: Introduction / The Dramatic Form Susan Glaspell, Trifles
3 Week
8 August 		Lecture 3: Greek Theatre Sophocles, Oedipus Rex
4 Week

15 August 		Lecture 4: Greek Theatre II Sophocles, Oedipus Rex
5 Week
22 August 		Lecture 5: Elizabethan Theatre

William Shakespeare, Hamlet
6 Week
29 August 		Lecture 6: Shakespeare’s Legacy William Shakespeare, Hamlet
7 Week
5 Sept 		Lecture 7: Modern Inventions Anton Chekhov, The Cherry Orchard
8 Week 10-18 Sept Recess
9 Week 19 Sept Lecture 8: Theatre and Politics Anton Chekhov, The Cherry Orchard
10 Week
26 Sept 		Lecture 9: Theatre of the Absurd (Waiting for Godot in-class viewing) Caryl Churchill, Cloud Nine
11 Week
3 Oct 		Lecture 10: Postmodern Theatre Caryl Churchill, Cloud Nine
12 Week
10 Oct 		Lecture 11: Postcolonial Theatre Kuo Pao Kun, Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral & the Spirits Play
13 Week
17 Oct 		Lecture 12: Postcolonial Theatre II Kuo Pao Kun, Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral & the Spirits Play
14 Week

24 Oct 		Lecture 13: Conclusion Discussion: Q&A