Spanish Theatre and Performance

The course focuses on the rich theatrical heritage of the Spanish language, with an emphasis on a particular period or theme. As well as exploring the evolution of theatrical production within a given period or theme, considerable attention will be paid to specific aspects of theatrical practice, such as staging, the dichotomy between scenic and dramatic space, and its commercial dimension. The course also introduces the specialised vocabulary of theatre studies, includes the viewing of sequences from major productions, and analyses adaptations of plays into other media. In addition, excursions are organised throughout the academic year to attend current theatre performances, even if they are not directly related to the topics covered. A good knowledge of Spanish is required, as the course is taught entirely in Spanish and translations of the texts studied or the critical bibliography are not always available.

Knowledge: Students will have an understanding of the main lines of development in the history of Spanish theatre during the period covered by the course. They will also have read some of the most important works of the period and, where possible, watched recordings of theatre productions and adaptations of these works in other media (mainly film and television).

Skills: Students will develop the ability to situate authors, movements and key works of the period studied within their historical and social contexts. They will be able to highlight similarities and differences between the texts studied, identifying the most significant features of each. Students will be able to use the specialised vocabulary of theatre studies and analyse a theatre production or an adaptation in other media, appreciating the unique aspects of each expressive language. They will also be able to recognise the potential ethical value of theatrical works and their ability to engage and interact with audiences (both spectators and readers).