Modern Women Playwrights
In the company of an experienced theatre director, examine the different theatrical visions of three exciting plays.
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- Start Date: 21 May 2025End Date: 09 Jul 2025Wed (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 8 sessions (over -8 weeks)Course Code: HLT296Tutors: Laura BaggaleyFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £129.00
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What is the course about?
On this in-college eight-week literature course, we will read and explore scenes from three modern plays: Far Away by Caryl Churchill, The Love of the Nightingale by Timberlake Wertenbaker and Welcome to Thebes by Moira Buffini. Examining the thematic similarities of the pieces, their language and structure, we will consider how the playwrights take different theatrical and writerly approaches to their subject matter.
What will we cover?
The plays tackle ideas about conflict and violence, language and silence, war and its aftermath.
We’ll carry out detailed readings of specific scenes in order to delve into these themes, as well as discussing how theatre productions bring the world and characters of the plays to life.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Discuss three modern plays in an informed and confident manner;
• Identify significant themes and describe how these might be illuminated in performance;
• Identify key features in the writing and theatrical vision of Caryl Churchill, Timberlake Wertenbaker and Moira Buffini;
• Describe how their use of language brings characters to life and creates a world.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge is required, just an interest in reading, considering and discussing the plays.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor mini-lecture, small and large group discussion and some reading aloud of the play texts for anyone who wishes to participate. Extracts of filmed performances may be used where available, exploring 'text to performance'. Work outside of class is to do the assigned reading for each week and individual research for those who wish.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please buy or borrow copies of:
Far Away by Caryl Churchill
The Love of the Nightingale by Timberlake Wertenbaker
Welcome to Thebes by Moira Buffini.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
7. Please look for other Drama courses on our website at www.citylit.ac.uk under History, Culture and Writing/Literature/Drama.
Laura is an experienced theatre director, teacher and writer and has taught at City Lit since 2011. Laura has worked at a wide range of venues including the National Theatre, the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park, Birmingham Rep, the Cambridge Arts Theatre, and Southwark Playhouse. She loves all types of plays, from new writing and devised theatre to Shakespeare and works in translation, and enjoys bringing scenes and characters to life with students in her classes. Laura studied English Literature as an undergraduate at Oxford University and went on to take an MA in Text and Performance Studies at King’s College London and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She now splits her time between teaching and writing novels for young adults.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.