(ages 13-14) · 6 lessons
Ibsen, Strindberg & Chekhov
Three theatrical giants and their influences on modern drama
Surrealist Drama Scheme of Work
(ages 13-14)
Overview
This six-lesson KS3 scheme introduces surrealist drama by linking practitioner methods (Grotowski, Artaud) and Dali-inspired imagery to short performance tasks. Lessons combine image study, printed texts and practical group exercises to develop devising, mime and vocal play. Use the unit to teach physical theatre techniques, playful text work (puns, nonsense) and short performance assessment with simple props and written self-evaluation.
What Students Will Learn
Students learn to apply physical theatre and Poor Theatre principles to spoken and visual texts, create devised scenes using gibberish and mime, explore puns and nonsense poetry, and adapt canonical extracts for surrealist performance. The unit emphasises ensemble devising, text-to-physical translation, vocal experimentation and peer/self-evaluation through short assessed performances.
Week 1: What is 'Surrealism'?
Introduces students to surrealism via image study and class discussion using the painting 'Hommage'. Practical activities include a 'Consequences' writing starter and devised gibberish and large-scale object scenes performed for the class.
Resources IncludeResourcesHommageWeek 2: Jerzy Grotowski
Explores Jerzy Grotowski's Poor Theatre and Laboratory approach and how minimal props focus on actor physicality. Activities include paired 'ball-and-chain' and 'box' ensemble exercises to emphasise physical limits and character feeling.
Week 3: Applying Grotowski to Shakespeare
Applies Grotowski methods to an Ariel speech from The Tempest to examine text and physical expression. Tasks: identify adjectives in the extract, then stage volunteers to support and physically shake the reader to compare readings.
Resources IncludeResourcesAriel's speech from Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'Edward Lear's The Owl and The PussycatPowerpoint SlidesThe Poor & Laboratory TheatresWeek 4: The Theatre of the Absurd
Introduces the Theatre of the Absurd and physical theatre exercises to build visual surrealism. Groups create tableaus (rowing boat, bong-tree, hill) and adapt 'The Owl and The Pussycat' into a physical performance.
Resources IncludeResourcesEdward Lear's The Owl and The PussycatPowerpoint SlidesTheatre of the AbsurdWeek 5: Artaud & 'Alice in Wonderland'
Uses the Mock Turtle extract to explore puns, dialect and surreal dialogue in Alice in Wonderland. Students practice mime and timing, then rehearse and perform the Mock Turtle/Gryphon scene focusing on movement and comic timing.
Resources IncludePowerpoint SlidesAlice in WonderlandWeek 6: The Assessment
Assessment lesson combining Artaud, Grotowski and Dali influences in a devised piece using a banana prop. Groups perform a devised mythical journey including a pun, repetition and physical theatre, then complete self-assessment sheets.
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