Essay 7,500 words. Submission: one month after the end of the module
100%
Supplementary Assessment
Essay: Submission of the essay to a new title
100%
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
demonstrate a clear understanding of non-Western forms of theatre and its impact on developments of Western Theatre.
Have a working knowledge of key concepts of theatre aesthetics fundamental to non-Western theatre forms.
Aims
To introduce students to key concepts of non-Western (Indian, Chinese, Japanese) forms of theatre.
To establish differences and similarities between a variety of world theatre traditions.
To familiarise students with the practical and theoretical techniques that distinguish these forms and lead to a comparison of the organising principles which govern their realisation.
To consider the impact and influence that Asian and African dance and theatre has had on the development of Western Theatre, particularly in the context of the 20th century and the key innovators of the theatre in this century (Stanislavsky, Meyerhold, Craig, Copeau, Artaud, Grotowski, Brook and Barba)
Content
This module will study the central concepts that form and give rise to the great traditions of world theatre: Kabuki, and Noh theatre of Japam; the dance/theatre of India (Kathakali, Kathak, Odissi and Bharata Natyam); Chinese Opera; the dance/theatres of Bali and the ritual/dance of Africa and South America. The course will analyse key texts and writings that have influenced and directed the development of these forms (e.g. the ancient treaties on Indian dance Natyasastra, and the 16th century writings of Zeami with regard to Noh), and the innovations that have enriched and promoted the practice of these forms (e.g. Mei Lan Fang of Peking Opera)
Reading Lists
Books ** Recommended Text
Bandem, I Made (1981) kaja and Kelod
Kuala Lumpur
Brandon, James (1970) On Thrones of Gold
Cambridge, Mass
Brandon, James (1967) Theatre in Southeast Asia
Cambridge, Mass
Ernst, Earl (1974) The Kabuki Theatre
Honolulu, Univ. of Hawaii Press
Extracts from the following key texts will be made available. Multiple copies of the original books are available for reference in the CPR archive. Ghosh, Manomohan, ed & trans. (1950) The Natyasastra: A Treatise on Hindu Dramaturgy and Histrionics
Calcutta
Keene, Donald (1966) No: The Classical Theatre of Japan
Palo Alto, California, Kodansha
Kompary, K (1983) The Noh Theatre: Principles and Perspectives
Tokyo: Weatherhill
Richmond, Swann & Zarrilli (1990) Indian Theatre
Univ. of Hawaii Press
Scott, A. C. (1959) Mei Lang-Fang, Leader of the Pear Garden
Hong Kong
Scott, A.C. (1957) The Classical Theatre of China
London
Sekine, Masaru (1985) Zeami and his Theories of Noh Drama
London: Smythe
Zarrilli, Phillip (1984) The Kathakali Complex: Actor, Performance & Structure
New Delhi, Abhinav
Zung, Celia (1937) Secrets of the Chinese Drama
new York
de Zoete, Beryl (1938) Dance and Drama in Bali
Kuala Lumpur