Contemporary Theatres in France I and II (FRE373 and FRE374)

Title: FRE373 Contemporary French Theatres I
Tutor: Julia Dobson
Level: 3; Semester: 1; Credits: 10

Prerequisites: FRE202 and the YEAR ABROAD
Corequisites: FRE374

Brief Description (including aims of course):

What is theatre for? How can we define the shifting boundaries of theatre?

This course will introduce students to the main events and directions that have inspired and shaped theatre in France over the last 30 years.

A recurrent theme will be the challenge to the status of the institutions, texts and spaces of theatre enacted within this period, and will include such topics as the impact of the `star´ director, théâtre hors les murs (site-specific performance) and collaborative productions. Discussion of specific plays will include analysis of performance and production and be accompanied, wherever possible, by extracts of filmed performance.

The first semester begins with introductory sessions on the institutional and financial structures governing theatre in France and an overview of the diversity of performance modes and spaces operating in France now.

We will then explore the legacy of the Théâtre national populaire and theatre outside Paris, the emergence of collaborative theatre with the Théâtre du soleil, and the main characteristics of the `theatre of the everyday´.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the module the student will be able to:

  • Understand the institutional, cultural and theoretical frameworks that dominate contemporary French theatre.
  • Demonstrate good knowledge of the texts studied and relevent critical literature.
  • Engage constructively with the details of text and performance.
  • Demonstrate transferable skills such as critical analysis, creative thinking and clear presentation of arguments in written and oral forms.
  • Undertake personal research.

Outline Syllabus:

The course will explore the institutional and cultural heritages of modern French theatre before moving to examine the dominant trends of this period as identified through study of Planchon´s Le Cochon noir, the Théâtre du Soleil´s 1789 and Vinaver´s Les Travaux et les jours.

Contents:

  • Introductory Lecture
  • Lecture: Institutions and frameworks
    Seminar: Institutions and frameworks
  • Lecture: Le TNP and Planchon
    Seminar: Planchon, Le Cochon noir
  • Seminar: Planchon, Le Cochon noir
  • Lecture: La création collective
    Seminar: Le Théâtre du soleil, 1789
  • Seminar: 1789
  • Study week
  • Seminar: 1789
  • Lecture: Le Théâtre du quotidien
    Seminar: Vinaver, Les travaux et les jours
  • Lecture: Vinaver
    Seminar: Les travaux et les jours
  • Seminar – evolutions and overviews
  • Study Week

Module format:

The course will be delivered through seminars and lectures. The seminars will include short student-led presentations (assessed), discussion of filmed productions and performances and workshop sessions.

Assessment:

Assessed seminar presentation (25%) and one 2500 - 3000 word essay (75%)



Title: FRE374 Contemporary French Theatres II

Tutor: Julia Dobson
Level: 3; Semester: 2; Credits: 10

Prerequisites: FRE202 and the YEAR ABROAD
Corequisites: FRE373

Brief Description (including aims of course):

What is theatre for? How can we define the shifting boundaries of theatre?

This course will introduce students to the main events and directions that have inspired and shaped theatre in France over the last 30 years.

A recurrent theme will be the challenge to the status of the institutions, texts and spaces of theatre enacted within this period, and will include such topics as the impact of the `star´ director, théâtre hors les murs (site-specific performance) and collaborative productions.

Discussion of specific plays will include analysis of performance and production and be accompanied, wherever possible, by extracts of filmed performance.

The second semester explores the focus in much contemporary French theatre on representations of difference and of the other.

This will be accompanied by study of the continuing interculturalism of theatrical theory and practice, including the influence of non-Western modes of theatre and performance.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the module the student will be able to:

  • Understand the cultural and theoretical contexts pertinent to French theatre of this period.
  • Demonstrate good knowledge of the texts studied and relevent critical literature.
  • Engage constructively with details of text and performance.
  • Demonstrate transferable skills such as critical analysis, creative thinking and clear presentation of arguments in written and oral forms.
  • Undertake personal research.

Outline Syllabus:

The second semester explores the focus in much contemporary French theatre on representations of difference and of the other.

This will be accompanied by study of the continuing interculturalism of theatrical theory and practice, including the influence of non-Western modes of theatre and performance.

These general questions will be addressed through the discussion of specific plays and performances including Koltès, Roberto Zucco (1990), Cixous, Tambours sur la digue (2001) and Ndiaye Papa doit manger (2003).

Contents:

  • Introductory Lecture: French threatre 1990 – present.
  • Lecture: Identity, difference and performance.
  • Lecture: Koltès, Roberto Zucco.
    Seminar: Roberto Zucco
  • Seminar: Roberto Zucco
  • Lecture: Interculturalism and the theatre
  • Lecture:Tambours sur la digue
    Seminar: Tambours sur la digue
  • Screening: Tambours sur la digue
    Seminar: Tambours sur la digue
  • Lecture: Théâtre hors les murs
    Seminar
  • Lecture: Exclusion and voice
    Seminar: Papa doit manger
  • Seminar: Papa doit manger
  • Study Week
  • Study Week

Module format:

The course will be delivered through seminars and lectures. The seminars will include short student-led presentations (assessed), discussion of filmed productions and performances and workshop sessions.

Assessment

Assessed seminar presentation (25%) and one 2500 - 3000 word essay (75%)