Studying Plays

by Shepherd, Simon; Wallis, Mick

• ISBN13: 9780340807309
• ISBN10: 034080730X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-05-03
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

The new edition of this standard textbook has been revised and expanded in response to lecturers' comments. It provides a comprehensive introduction to play texts, and looks at key elements of drama such as character, dialogue, plot, action, the body, and space. The book also discusses theatricality and sets drama in its historical context. Drawing on examples fromKing Lear,A Doll's House,Waiting for Godot, andThe Tempestamong others, the textbook is suitable for beginning students of drama. The book is part of the series that includesStudying the Novel andStudying Poetry. Mick Wallis is Professor of Performance and Culture at the University of Leeds, UK Simon Shepherd is a Professor at The Central School of Speech and Drama, London, UK The new edition of this standard textbook has been revised and expanded in response to lecturers' comments. It provides a comprehensive introduction to play texts, and looks at key elements of drama such as character, dialogue, plot, action, the body, and space. The book also discusses theatricality and sets drama in its historical context. Drawing on examples fromKing Lear,A Doll's House,Waiting for Godot, andThe Tempestamong others, the textbook is suitable for beginning students of drama. The book is part of the series that includesStudying the Novel andStudying Poetry. "Comprehensive, thoughtful and accessibly written."Research in Drama Education "Comprehensive, thoughtful and accessibly written."Research in Drama Education

Author Biography

Mick Wallis is Professor of Performance and Culture at the University of Leeds, UK

 

Simon Shepherd is a Professor at The Central School of Speech and Drama, London, UK

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix
Getting started	1	(14)
Reading the play	1	(10)
Stage directions	11	(4)
Characters and persons	15	(26)
Expectations about character	15	(1)
Three aspects of dramatic character	16	(2)
Mapping characters	18	(2)
Developing the aspects of dramatic character	20	(6)
Character articulation	26	(11)
Further aspects of dramatic character	37	(1)
Character at work	38	(3)
Dialogue	41	(32)
The workings of dialogue	41	(10)
The workings of conversation	51	(9)
Speech acts	60	(8)
The stylistics of theatrical prose and verse	68	(5)
Plot and action	73	(31)
Plot, action and situation	73	(4)
Modelling action	77	(11)
Story, plot and narration	88	(7)
Character and scenes	95	(9)
The actor's body	104	(23)
Stage directions	104	(18)
Limits and margins	122	(5)
Spaces	127	(41)
Space and A Doll's House	127	(8)
A systematic approach to space	135	(30)
Models and maps of theatrical space	165	(3)
Culture and interpretation	168	(31)
Writers	169	(2)
Location	171	(6)
Performers	177	(8)
Audiences	185	(11)
Interpretation	196	(3)
Glossary	199	(4)
Bibliography	203	(8)
Index	211