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Physical Performance

Module description

In this module, you will explore the primacy of the body in devising processes. Embracing the many uses of the word ‘physical’, you will consider the approaches and practitioners as diverse as Theatre de Mouvement, Butoh, DV8, Jaivant Patel, Theatre Ad Infinitum, Duende, Kidd Pivot, Freddie Opoku-Addaie, Needcompany, and Pina Bausch.

You will focus on the different possibilities of structuring physical performance. You will explore and use a range of diverse sources to expand a nonlinear approach to devising methodologies from musical notation, artwork, chaos theory, the natural world to architecture and poetry. You will investigate the full range of the body’s expressive qualities– rhythm and dynamics of movement, posture, gesture, effort actions and spatial relationships Through  experimental practice, research and analysis, you will be encouraged to develop your own physical language, scoring techniques and compositional skills.  

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to engage you in an exploratory and practical  approach to devising physical performance. It aims to consider and understand the various contemporary paradigms and practices related to the body – movement, rhythm and composition. You will learn how to use spatial, dramaturgical and scoring elements to map out and create original work.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate confidence in performance skills in physical theatre genres; to investigate the full range of the body’s expressive qualities – rhythm and dynamics of movement, posture, gesture, effort actions,– in creating practical work
• 2. Demonstrate secure understanding and application of a) embodiment and corporeality b) compositional skills. To successfully employ diverse sources as devising methodologies
• 3. Draw on and apply a range of physical theatre principles and methodologies to create original physical scoring

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. To work imaginatively, reliably and generously when initiating and sustaining creative, analytic and interpretative work.
• 5. Contribute research and feedback,, to evaluate and to develop confidence in the ability to analyse, critique and generate original material
• 6. To develop and structure thoughtful creative processes, demonstrate an understanding of physicalisation in performance and the capacity to articulate that understanding in appropriate ways (in practical and in written assignments)

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. To give and receive constructive critical feedback, and to improve communication skills and advanced analytic abilities in discussions
• 8. Think laterally and demonstrate originality in problem solving, to express and communicate creative ideas and images. To initiate and sustain creative work; set personal objectives that are linked to a sense of challenge; to identify and evaluate personal learning strategies that are self-reflexive.
• 9. To adapt and design working methods for each new situation, self-management, problem solving, and valuing own and others ideas and beliefs. Developing skills to create a respectful and constructive working environment

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following:

• Theatre du Movement, wks 1-3 (corporeality, The world and it’s movements)
• Dance Theatre, wks 4-7  (i.e. Butoh, DV8)
• Total Theatre, wks 8-10  (i.e Theatre Ad Infinitum)

During the term you will take part in physical workshops and engage with the compositional, choreographic, rhythmical and dramaturgical approaches to physical theatre making. You will encounter a variety of theatre making processes and methodologies of inspiration. Apart from this, you will be asked to respond to improvisational stimuli and creative tasks on a weekly basis. This processbased learning will help you create your own body of work and develop your own devising methodologies, whilst working towards set micro performances/presentations (options ranging from in person, digital, online or blended format).

*Each student will keep a Process Journal, which will enable creative, reflective and critical means of recording processes as they unfold from the perspective of a creative artist (detail, notate, draw, assemble and collate; develop, critique and evaluate ideas; write in ways that differ from essay or portfolio).  

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, either you will normally be deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic Reading

• Akinleye, Adesola, Narratives in Black British Dance: Embodied Practices. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.
• Baird, Bruce, Hijikata Tatsumi and Butoh: Dancing in a Pool of Gray Grits. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillain, 2012.
• Climenhaga, R, Pina Bausch. London: Routledge 2009
• Callery, Dymphna, Through the Body: A Practical Guide to Physical Theatre. London: Nick Hern,2001.
• Dennis, Anne, The Articulate Body. London: Nick Hern, 2002.
• Goode, Chris, The Forest and the Field: Changing Theatre in a Changing World. Oberon Potato: London, 2015.
• Evans, Mark and Kemp, Rick, Routledge Companion to Jacques Lecoq. London: Routledge, 2016.
• Murray, Simon and Keefe, John, Physical Theatres: a Critical Introduction. London: Routledge 2007.
• Marshall, Lorna, The Body Speaks. London: Methuen 2008.
• Oida, Yoshi, The Invisible Actor. London: Methuen 2002.

Library-based videos/Digital Archives

• DV8 Physical Theatre: The Cost of Living
• Butoh: Body on the Edge of Crisis
• Freedom Series: Kidd Pivot Dance Theatre
• Practitioners on Practice, Talawa Theatre Compnay: interview with Michael Buffong
• Pina Bausch: Bluebeard

Key words search

Physical theatre, devising, composition, mime, improvisation