Ateneo - UPO

Performing Race in Black British Theatre from the Post-War Period to the Present Day.

Tara Arts, Binglish Plays: The Selected Plays of Jatinder Verma and Tara Arts, Methuen 2026
AAVV, Black British Queer Plays and Practitioners: An Anthology of Afriquia Theatre, Methuen 2022
Winsome Pinnock, Leave Taking, Nick Hern 2018
Winsome Pinnock, Rockets and Blue Lights, Nick Hern 2021

* The course aims to provide the theoretical and critical foundations for the study of contemporary Black British theatre by offering a broad overview of the major contributions within the fields of Black Cultural Studies and Black Theatre Studies. At a basic level, students must demonstrate that they have understood the fundamental concepts explained in the module; at an advanced level, they must demonstrate that they have assimilated these concepts to the extent that they can relate them to the section on theatrical texts and the historical context of Black British theatre, and in particular by referring to them when writing their examination paper.
* The course aims to provide a general overview of contemporary Black British theatre from the 1970s to the present day through its most significant playwrights and theatre companies. At a basic level, students must demonstrate an understanding of the general historical development of themes and playwrights from the 1970s to the present day; at a more advanced level, they must be able to draw comparisons between the various decades and establish links with the theoretical and critical aspects of Black Cultural Studies and Black Theatre Studies.
* The course also aims to provide tools for learning how to read and analyse theatrical texts by discussing their most significant formal aspects, through the reading and analysis of Mustapha Matura’s *Welcome Home Jacko*. At a basic level, the aim is to enable students to independently analyse, in their examination essay, a text chosen and agreed upon with the lecturer, using all the key terms relating to the Elements of Theatre; at an advanced level, students will be able to present, in their examination essay, an analysis of the overall structure of the chosen work and its possible effects and meanings.
* Finally, students are asked to put into practice their ability to recognise the main elements of theatre in two live performances, by writing two subjective ‘reviews’ of performances agreed with the lecturer. At a basic level, students will write a review that goes beyond a simple account of the performance; at an advanced level, students will be required to write a review capable of engaging even those who have not seen the performance.
All course credits are awarded through distance learning (DAD).

English level B2.
Ability to write, in English (or in Italian for students of Letteratura e spettacolo teatrale) an essay analysing a play agreed with the lecturer

The module is delivered exclusively via distance learning on the DIR platform (pre-recorded lectures, external videos, PowerPoint presentations, self-assessment exercises, study materials), with the exception of two 2-hour face-to-face sessions: one at the start of the first semester and one before the start of the examination period. At least one synchronous distance learning session (live streaming) will be offered to monitor students’ understanding and progress with the course material.

It is strongly recommended that you attend the first face-to-face session, during which the module will be introduced and the organisation of distance learning explained.
All the material will be available on the DIR platform: the module is delivered exclusively via distance learning. This program is designed to be consistent with Goals 4, 5, 16) of the UNESCO 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Quality Education, Reducing Gender Gap; Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

* Ongoing self-assessment tests on the theoretical aspects of Black Cultural Studies and the related historical and cultural videos. Linked to the learning objective: to provide the theoretical and critical foundations for the study of contemporary Black British theatre by examining, in broad terms, the major contributions within the fields of Black Cultural Studies and Black Theatre Studies. The minimum standard corresponds to a general understanding of what Black Cultural Studies entails, and in particular the CCCS in Birmingham; the advanced standard requires the ability to recognise the concepts developed within Black Cultural Studies in relation to the theatrical productions covered in the module, so as to be able to refer to them in the examination paper. * Ongoing tests on the knowledge of the most significant playwrights and theatre companies (2 sets of 10 questions: a minimum of 6 correct answers per set). Linked to the learning objective: To acquire an overview of the contemporary Black British theatre scene from the 1970s to the present day through its most significant playwrights and theatre companies. The minimum level corresponds to passing the first quiz on the general knowledge of the development of theatrical themes and forms decade by decade; the advanced level requires more detailed knowledge of the playwrights and works covered in the module, achieved by passing the second quiz. * A 10-page paper written in English (in Italian for students of Literature and Theatre Studies), comprising a theatrical, thematic and cultural analysis of a Black British or Asian play agreed upon with the lecturer, so as to put into practice the tools for the analysis and description of the Elements of Theatre exemplified in class through Mustapha Matura’s text. Linked to the learning objective: To be able to analyse and present a play in writing using appropriate language, recognising all the main Elements of theatre that comprise it: the minimum level requires the recognition within the chosen text of the Elements of theatre explained in the module; the advanced level requires the ability to reflect on the general structure of the work, whilst also referring to the theoretical and critical aspects of Black Cultural Studies and Black Theatre Studies. * Two "memoirs" in Italian (5 pages each) on theatre performances attended and agreed with the lecturer. Linked to the learning objective: the ability to recognise the main Elements of theatre in two live performances. The minimum standard requires the writing of two "memoirs" using the key terms relating to the Elements of theatre and avoiding a mere chronicle of the performance; the advanced standard requires the writing of a well-written and engaging essay. The use of AI is not permitted for any of the assessed components of the examination.

The module offers a historical, cultural and theoretical introduction, as well as a methodology for performative analysis applied to the study of Black, British and Asian theatre, based on the critical discussions about "race" developed since the 1970s by Black and Asian Cultural Studies in the UK; it presents decade-by-decade profiles of the leading Black and Asian playwrights and theatre companies in Britain, from the post-war period to the present day; It introduces all the key theatrical elements required for a performative analysis of a play. A detailed case study will be presented in the third part of the module, dedicated to Mustapha Matura’s "Welcome Home Jacko" (1979). The text is also available in the library in the anthology "The Methuen Drama Book of Plays by Black British Writers". The module requires students to attend two theatre performances, agreed upon with the lecturer, and to write two spectator's "memoirs" (5 pages each).

* To acquire a basic understanding of the main forms of contemporary Black British and Asian theatre. The minimum level corresponds to a general understanding of theatrical developments decade by decade; the advanced level requires detailed knowledge of the playwrights and works covered in the module. * To be able to contextualise this theatre within its specific characteristics in relation to mainstream British culture, using the tools of Black Cultural Studies. The minimum level corresponds to a general understanding of what Black Cultural Studies entails, and in particular the CCCS in Birmingham; the advanced level requires the ability to recognise the concepts developed by Black Cultural Studies in relation to the theatrical production covered by the module. * Be able to analyse and present a play in writing using appropriate language, identifying all its main constituent elements: the minimum level requires an understanding and definition of the theatrical elements explained in the module; the advanced level requires the recognition of theatrical elements in the analysis of a Black British text and, in particular, the ability to summarise its structure. * To develop a greater awareness of the importance of the audience member (and the reader) in the creation of meaning: the basic level requires the writing of two memoirs in accordance with the instructions and from the audience member’s subjective perspective; the advanced level requires the writing of a well-written and engaging memoir, demonstrating the ability to recognise the elements of theatre in a live performance.