Drama & Theatre

Component 1 – Drama and theatre (written)

• Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre

• Study of two set plays: ‘Accidental Death of an Anarchist’ by Dario Fo and ‘Our Country’s Good’ by Timberlake Wertenbaker.

• Analysis and evaluation of live theatre makers

Component 2 – Creating original drama (practical) influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner.

• Process of creating devised drama

• Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)

Component 3 – Making theatre (practical) using the methodology of a prescribed practitioner.

• Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts (Extract 1,2 and 3) each taken from a different play, as a performer or designer.

Component 1: Drama and Theatre

What's assessed:

• Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre

• Study of two set plays, one chosen from List A, one chosen from List B

• Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

How it's assessed:

• Written exam: 3 hours

• Open book

• 80 marks

• 40% of A Level

Questions:

• Section A: one question (from a choice) on one of the set plays from List A (25 marks)

• Section B: one three part question on a given extract from one of the set plays from List B (30 marks)

• Section C: one question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (25 marks)

Component 2: Creating Original Drama (Practical)

What's assessed:

• Process of creating devised drama

• Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)

• Devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner

How it's assessed:

• Working notebook (40 marks)

• Devised performance (20 marks)

• 60 marks in total

• 30% of A Level

This component is marked by teachers and moderated by AQA.

Component 3: Making Theatre (Practical)

What's assessed:

• Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts (Extract 1, 2 and 3) each taken from a different play

• Methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3

• Extract 3 is to be performed as a final assessed piece (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)

• Reflective report analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts

How it's assessed:

• Performance of Extract 3 (40 marks)

• Reflective report (20 marks)

• 60 marks in total

• 30% of A Level

This component is marked by AQA.