Mark Lawson's Theatre Studies: A Review of the Series that Explores Theatre's Hidden Stories
Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies: A Comprehensive Guide
If you are interested in learning more about the art and craft of theatre, you might want to check out Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies. This is a series of books and podcasts that explore the various aspects of theatre, from its origins and history to its current practices and trends. In this article, we will give you a comprehensive guide to Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies, covering the main concepts, the practical applications, and the benefits of studying theatre. Whether you are a student, a teacher, a practitioner, or a fan of theatre, you will find something useful and insightful in Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies.
Mark Lawson’s Theatre Studies
Introduction
Who is Mark Lawson?
Mark Lawson is a British journalist, broadcaster, and author who specializes in arts and culture. He has been writing and presenting about theatre for over 30 years, for various media outlets such as BBC Radio 4, The Guardian, and New Statesman. He is also the author of several books on theatre, such as Theatre Lab, All My Sons, and The Deaths. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and respected voices in theatre criticism and commentary.
What is Theatre Studies?
Theatre Studies is an academic discipline that examines theatre as a complex phenomenon that involves multiple dimensions: artistic, social, cultural, historical, political, psychological, and philosophical. Theatre Studies aims to understand how theatre works as a form of communication, expression, and criticism, and how it relates to other forms of art and media. Theatre Studies also explores how theatre influences and is influenced by its context and audience, and how it reflects and challenges the values and issues of its time.
Why is Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies important?
Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies is important because it offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field of theatre studies. It covers the essential topics and concepts that every theatre student or enthusiast should know, such as the elements, functions, types, roles, genres, styles, movements, theories, and methods of theatre. It also provides practical guidance on how to analyze, review, and research theatre works, using examples from various plays and productions. Moreover, it features interviews with prominent theatre practitioners and scholars who share their insights and experiences on various aspects of theatre. Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies is not only informative but also entertaining and engaging.
Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies: The Main Concepts
Theatre as a form of communication
One of the main concepts that Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies explores is that theatre is a form of communication. This means that theatre uses various signs and symbols to convey meanings and messages to its audience. These signs and symbols include words (spoken or written), gestures (facial or bodily), sounds (musical or non-musical), images (visual or scenic), and objects (props or costumes). These signs and symbols are organized into three main elements of theatre: the text, the performance, and the production.
The elements of theatre
The text is the written or spoken words that make up the script or the dialogue of a play. The text provides the basic structure and content of the theatre work, such as the plot, the characters, the setting, the theme, and the style. The text can be original or adapted from another source, such as a novel, a poem, a film, or a historical event.
The performance is the live or recorded action that takes place on stage or on screen. The performance involves the actors who portray the characters, and the director who guides and shapes their interpretation and delivery. The performance also involves the use of voice, movement, gesture, expression, and interaction to create a believable and engaging representation of the text.
The production is the overall design and execution of the theatre work, which includes the technical and artistic aspects that support and enhance the text and the performance. The production involves the use of lighting, sound, music, scenery, props, costumes, makeup, special effects, and stage management to create a coherent and effective theatrical experience.
The functions of theatre
Theatre has various functions that serve different purposes and audiences. Some of the main functions of theatre are:
Entertainment: Theatre provides amusement and enjoyment to its audience by creating a captivating and stimulating spectacle.
Education: Theatre provides information and knowledge to its audience by presenting facts and arguments about various topics and issues.
Persuasion: Theatre provides influence and motivation to its audience by appealing to their emotions and values.
Expression: Theatre provides creativity and originality to its audience by showcasing the artistic vision and talent of its creators.
Criticism: Theatre provides insight and evaluation to its audience by examining and challenging the norms and problems of society.
The types of theatre
Theatre has various types that reflect different forms and genres of theatre. Some of the main types of theatre are:
Drama: Theatre that focuses on realistic and serious situations and characters that face conflicts and dilemmas.
Comedy: Theatre that focuses on humorous and absurd situations and characters that face misunderstandings and mishaps.
Tragedy: Theatre that focuses on tragic and disastrous situations and characters that face downfall and death.
Farce: Theatre that focuses on exaggerated and ridiculous situations and characters that face chaos and confusion.
Melodrama: Theatre that focuses on sensational and emotional situations and characters that face danger and distress.
Romance: Theatre that focuses on romantic and idealistic situations and characters that face love and adventure.
Satire: Theatre that focuses on ironic and sarcastic situations and characters that mock and ridicule society.
Fantasy: Theatre that focuses on imaginative and fantastic situations and characters that involve magic and mystery.
Horror: Theatre that focuses on frightening and terrifying situations and characters that involve fear and violence.
Science Fiction: Theatre that focuses on futuristic and speculative situations and characters that involve technology and science.
Theatre as a form of expression
Theatre as a form of expression
Another main concept that Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies explores is that theatre is a form of expression. This means that theatre uses various modes and styles to convey the artistic vision and intention of its creators. These modes and styles include the language, the genre, the structure, the character, the theme, and the message of the theatre work. These modes and styles also reflect the personal and social context and perspective of the creators, such as their background, beliefs, values, and goals.
The role of the playwright
The playwright is the person who writes the text or the script of the play. The playwright is responsible for creating the basic elements of the theatre work, such as the plot, the characters, the setting, the theme, and the style. The playwright also uses various techniques to craft the text, such as dialogue, monologue, narration, action, exposition, conflict, climax, resolution, and symbolism. The playwrights role is to communicate their ideas and emotions through words and actions.
The role of the director
The director is the person who oversees and coordinates the performance and production of the play. The director is responsible for interpreting and adapting the text to suit their artistic vision and intention. The director also uses various tools to shape and guide the performance and production, such as casting, rehearsal, staging, blocking, movement, pace, rhythm, tone, mood, and atmosphere. The directors role is to communicate their vision and intention through images and sounds.
The role of the actor
The actor is the person who performs or portrays a character in the play. The actor is responsible for bringing the character to life by using their voice, body, expression, and interaction. The actor also uses various skills to develop and deliver their performance, such as research, analysis, imagination, memory, emotion, concentration, focus, energy, projection, articulation, and improvisation. The actors role is to communicate their characters thoughts and feelings through gestures and words.
Theatre as a form of criticism
A third main concept that Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies explores is that theatre is a form of criticism. This means that theatre uses various approaches and perspectives to analyze and evaluate theatre works and their impact on society. These approaches and perspectives include aesthetics, ethics, politics, culture, history, and philosophy. These approaches and perspectives also involve various criteria and standards to judge the quality and significance of theatre works, such as originality, creativity, relevance, coherence, effectiveness, and influence.
The role of the audience
The audience is the group of people who watch or listen to a theatre work. The audience is responsible for receiving and responding to the meanings and messages of the theatre work, such as the plot, the characters, the theme, and the style. The audience also uses various factors to influence and shape their reception and response, such as their background, beliefs, values, expectations, preferences, and mood. The audience's role is to communicate their feedback and opinion through applause, laughter, silence, or criticism.
The role of the critic
The critic is the person who writes or speaks about a theatre work. The critic is responsible for analyzing and evaluating the text, the performance, and the production of the theatre work, using various approaches and perspectives. The critic also uses various techniques to express and support their analysis and evaluation, such as description, interpretation, comparison, contrast, evidence, examples, and arguments. The critic's role is to communicate their judgment and recommendation through reviews, essays, articles, or podcasts.
The role of the historian
The historian is the person who studies or teaches about theatre history. The historian is responsible for researching and documenting the origins, development, and trends of theatre in different times and places. The historian also uses various sources and methods to collect and verify their research and documentation, such as archives, libraries, museums, interviews, observations, and experiments. The historian's role is to communicate their findings and implications through books, lectures, courses, or documentaries.
Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies: The Practical Applications
How to analyze a play
One of the practical applications that Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies teaches is how to analyze a play. This means how to examine and understand the various elements and aspects of a play, such as the plot, the characters, the theme, and the message. Analyzing a play can help you appreciate and enjoy the play better, as well as improve your critical thinking and writing skills. Here are some steps on how to analyze a play:
The plot structure
The plot is the sequence of events that make up the story of the play. The plot structure is the way the plot is organized and presented in the play. The plot structure usually consists of five parts: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The exposition introduces the main characters, the setting, and the conflict of the play. The rising action builds up the tension and suspense of the play by showing how the characters try to resolve the conflict. The climax is the turning point or the highest point of interest or emotion in the play, where the outcome of the conflict is decided. The falling action shows the consequences and effects of the climax on the characters and the situation. The resolution concludes the play by resolving or leaving unresolved the conflict and the issues of the play.
To analyze the plot structure of a play, you should identify and summarize the main events and actions that occur in each part of the plot structure. You should also explain how these events and actions relate to each other and to the overall story and message of the play.
The character development
The character is the person or entity who acts or is acted upon in the play. The character development is the way the character changes or stays the same throughout the play. The character development usually involves two aspects: characterization and motivation. The characterization is the way the character is described or portrayed in the play, such as their appearance, personality, background, relationships, and values. The motivation is the way the character is driven or influenced to act or behave in the play, such as their goals, desires, fears, beliefs, and emotions.
To analyze the character development of a play, you should identify and describe the main traits and features of each character, as well as their similarities and differences. You should also explain how these traits and features affect their actions and interactions in the play, as well as how they change or stay the same throughout the play.
The theme and message
The theme is the main idea or concept that underlies or emerges from the play. The theme usually expresses a universal or timeless truth or value that relates to human nature or society. The message is the main point or argument that the playwright wants to convey or communicate to the audience through the play. The message usually expresses a personal or specific opinion or perspective that relates to a current or relevant issue or problem.
To analyze the theme and message of a play, you should identify and state what you think is the theme and message of the play, using one or two sentences. You should also support your statement with evidence and examples from the text, performance, or production of the play, such as quotes, scenes, symbols, or images.
How to write a play review
Another practical application that Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies teaches is how to write a play review. This means how to write a short piece of writing that summarizes and evaluates a theatre work, such as a play or a production. Writing a play review can help you share your thoughts and opinions about a theatre work with others, as well as improve your communication and persuasion skills. Here are some steps on how to write a play review:
The summary and evaluation
The summary is the part of the review that gives a brief overview of what the theatre work is about, such as its title, author, genre, plot, characters, setting, theme, and message. The summary should be concise and clear, without giving away too much detail or spoiling any surprises. The evaluation is the part of the review that gives your personal assessment of how well or poorly the theatre work achieved its purpose and goals, such as its originality, creativity, relevance, coherence, effectiveness, and influence. The evaluation should be honest and fair, without being biased or rude.
To write the summary and evaluation of a play review, you should start with an introduction that states the title, author, genre, and main idea of the theatre work, as well as your overall impression and opinion of it. You should then write one or two paragraphs that summarize and aspects of the theatre work, such as the plot, the characters, the theme, and the message. You should also write one or two paragraphs that evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the theatre work, such as the text, the performance, and the production. You should use specific examples and evidence to support your evaluation.
The evidence and examples
The evidence and examples are the parts of the review that provide concrete and relevant details and information that back up your summary and evaluation of the theatre work. The evidence and examples can come from various sources, such as the text, the performance, the production, the context, the audience, or the critic. The evidence and examples should be accurate and clear, without being vague or confusing.
To write the evidence and examples of a play review, you should use direct quotes, paraphrases, or summaries from the text of the theatre work to illustrate its plot, characters, theme, or message. You should also use descriptions, observations, or comparisons from the performance or the production of the theatre work to illustrate its style, tone, mood, or atmosphere. You should also use facts, arguments, or opinions from the context, the audience, or the critic of the theatre work to illustrate its relevance, coherence, effectiveness, or influence.
The recommendations and feedback
The recommendations and feedback are the parts of the review that provide your personal suggestions and advice on how to improve or appreciate the theatre work better. The recommendations and feedback can be addressed to various audiences, such as the playwright, the director, the actors, the producers, or the viewers. The recommendations and feedback should be constructive and respectful, without being harsh or insulting.
To write the recommendations and feedback of a play review, you should end with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and opinions about the theatre work, as well as your overall rating or grade of it. You should also write one or two sentences that give your recommendations and feedback to the theatre work's creators or consumers, such as what they could do differently or better, or what they could learn or enjoy from it.
How to research a theatre history topic
A third practical application that Mark Lawsons Theatre Studies teaches is how to research a theatre history topic. This means how to investigate and explore a specific aspect or period of theatre history, such as its origins, development, trends, movements, theories, methods, or influences. Researching a theatre history topic can help you gain more knowledge and understanding about theatre and its role in society, as well as improve your research and writing skills. Here are some steps on how to research a theatre history topic:
The sources and methods
The sources are the materials or resources that provide information and evidence about the theatre history topic. The sources can be primary or secondary. Primary sources are original or firsthand accounts or documents that were created during or close to the time of the theatre history topic, such as playscripts, diaries, letters, interviews, photographs, recordings, or artifacts. Secondary sources are later or secondhand accounts or documents that were created after or based on the primary sources, such as books, articles, reviews, documentaries, or websites.
The methods are the techniques or procedures that are used to collect and analyze the information and evidence from the sources. The methods can be qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative methods are descriptive or interpretive approaches that focus on understanding the meanings and contexts of the sources, such as textual analysis, co