EA422-7-SP-LO:
Brecht and His Influences
2023/24
East 15 Acting School
East15 (Loughton) Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
30
05 October 2023
Requisites for this module
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This module examines the theory and practical work of Bertolt Brecht and his followers.
It addresses itself specifically to the role of the director at the centre of the epic performances, with reference to the supremacy of the message and its stylistic and interpretive implications.
No information available.
By the end of the module, students will be expected to:
- Have knowledge and understanding of the relationships between theoretical and practical challenges for directors
- Have knowledge and understanding of appropriate research methods
- Have knowledge and understanding of the translation of complex theoretical models to practical application
- Have knowledge and understanding of the roles and functions of all participants responsible for creating theatre
- Apply critical reflection to play texts
- Synthesise diverse sources of knowledge
Practical skills:
- Applied use of research
- Critical playtext reading
- Textual analysis
Indicative syllabus
- Examination of the historical roots of Brecht's ideas
- Examination of the problems inherent in re-evaluating and interpreting material with overt didactic intentions
- Specific problems of story-telling through tableaux and gestus and their implications for the actor
- The concept of alienation and its application in directing
- Exploration of alienation techniques
- The use of music within the epic style
- Brecht's British writer epigones: the work of Joint Stock and of writers such as Howard Brenton
- Brecht's use of design – his work with Casper Neher and others
This module will be delivered via:
- Directed autonomous learning, workshops, rehearsals, seminars, presentations and feedback sessions.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Coursework |
Coursework |
|
75% |
Coursework |
Logbook |
|
25% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
No
No
No
Prof Robert Swain
Birkbeck
Professor
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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