It’s a great play to teach with sixth formers because it is an energetic, fun and experimental play. It infuses music, sound and video to present scenes of chaos and panic. It’s a highly physical text and requires imaginative ensemble acting. It would be a great play to introduce students to the work of Brecht, because of its epic techniques such as direct address, projections, political messages and physical acting.

In terms of a teaching opportunities, the play opens up a spectrum of topics to introduce students to: stylised, physical theatre, Greek tragedies, Greek choruses, postmodern devices, political theatre, morality plays to name but a few. It’s a great text to teach because it opens up a host of teaching subjects that will not only allow pupils to gain a deep understanding of this text but will also broaden students’ understanding of theatre.

What's in the Teaching Folder?
Suitable for any of the major exam specifications this brand new teaching folder will allow you to teach the full play to your students. Whether your students have to study a set text for a written exam, use a play to create a devised piece or whether your students have to practically explore a play, this folder offers comprehensive teaching ideas and a wealth of photocopiable student handouts to help you teach a substantial play text and make your planning load easier. It constantly encourages the students to look at the text from an acting, directing and design perspective.

The folder will allow you teach this text in its entirety. It covers the play sequentially, scene by scene and will provide you with a variety of practical and theory-based activities. The folder guides students through analysis of the play, prompting them to research and discuss key themes, the play’s context, ways in which the playwright has been influenced by the world around them, the playwright’s background, style and influences, key issues and ideas, practical exploration of the text, evaluations of directorial interpretations of the text and twenty first century audience expectations.

The folder encourages in depth character analysis of all the major characters including directorial impressions of the main character/s, their functions, comparing key characters, practical exploration of characters and examining the playwright’s intentions behind key characters. Students will be encouraged to adopt their own unique directorial view of major characters, scenes and styles as well as being encouraged to approach the play from the perspective of a designer and performer. The resources also encourage students to look at the play from the perspective of famous practitioners such as Bertolt Brecht.

The folder offers you a perfect scheme of work to enthuse and inspire students and will ensure that your A Level students have a knowledge of contemporary, new theatre texts.