A Level Drama and Theatre WJEC

This subject is broken down into 338 topics in 13 modules:

  1. A Day in the Death of Joe Egg 26 topics
  2. An Enemy of the People 26 topics
  3. A View from the Bridge 26 topics
  4. Live Theatre Production 26 topics
  5. Mametz 26 topics
  6. Medea 26 topics
  7. One Moonlit Night 26 topics
  8. Sweeney Todd 26 topics
  9. The Absence of War 26 topics
  10. The Comedy of Errors 26 topics
  11. The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning 26 topics
  12. The Woman made of Flowers 26 topics
  13. Ubu Roi 26 topics
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  • 13
    modules
  • 338
    topics
  • 120,972
    words of revision content
  • 15+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Drama and Theatre

A Day in the Death of Joe Egg

A Day in the Death of Joe Egg: genre

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A Day in the Death of Joe Egg: genre

Genre Characteristics and Context

  • "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg" falls under the category of Black Comedy-Drama - a genre that blends elements of tragedy and satire to tell serious stories with a darkly humorous edge.
  • The play explores the challenges facing a couple, Bri and Sheila, raising their disabled child, Joe, often referring to their life experiences as a form of absurd tragicomedy.
  • It employs discomforting humour, often in the face of apparent hopelessness, as a form of catharsis, letting characters and audiences explore painful experiences through comedy.
  • While comedy in the play is persistent, playwright Peter Nichols ensures that he does not make light of disability or parenthood - instead, he uses humour to expose the grittiness of reality.
  • The play is also seen as a social commentary challenging attitudes and stereotypes associated with disability in the 1960s.

Noteworthy Applications of Genre

  • Frequent breaking of the fourth wall, where Bri and Sheila perform imagined conversations with Joe as a healthy child, introduces grotesque humour in the midst of their tragic reality.
  • The use of irony is common, such as instances where Bri, a special needs teacher, struggles with accommodating his own daughter’s disability.
  • The characters often utilise dark humour as a coping mechanism, allowing them to deal with their hardship, such as when Bri mocks the condition of his child.
  • Satirical elements can be seen in the portrayal of certain supporting characters - like Freddie's patronising pretentiousness and Pam's insensitiveness - their attitudes contributing to the black comedy.
  • Despite the comedic mechanisms, the play never shies away from presenting the stark and painful reality of the situation, effectively preserving its tragic aspect.
  • The characters experience an absence of hope, something crucial to tragic genre elements. Their relentless pursuit to engage their daughter, even when there is no reaction, is deeply sombre and poignant.

Genre Impact

  • The play's genre enables it to broach controversial subjects - disability, parental responsibility, societal misunderstanding - with an approachability that a more confronting dramatic style might not achieve.
  • It is a mirror of life, displaying the humour and tragedy that often exist together in reality. Nichols uses this approach to create an empathetic understanding among the audience towards complex realities.
  • The play's ability to make the audience laugh while making them uncomfortable with their laughter can inspire reflective thought and potentially change perspectives.
  • The emotional duality of the black comedy-drama genre emphasises the complexity of human experience and makes "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg" a resonant play.

Course material for Drama and Theatre, module A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, topic A Day in the Death of Joe Egg: genre

Drama and Theatre

One Moonlit Night

One Moonlit Night: cultural context

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One Moonlit Night: cultural context

Cultural Context

  • "One Moonlit Night" is rooted in Welsh culture and heritage. It provides an insight into rural Welsh society, emphasising small-town dynamics, religious traditions, folklore, and the close-knit community often found in such settings.

  • It delves into the implications of Welsh-English bilingualism, and the tension between the two languages and cultures. The protagonist's code-switching between the two languages illuminates his struggle for identity and belonging.

Historical Context

  • The book was originally published in the mid-20th century, a period marked by significant social, political and cultural changes in Wales. The play reflects this turbulent era, featuring themes like war, economic hardship, and the loss of traditional values.

  • The narrative alludes to the World Wars and the consequent trauma these brought upon communities. This demonstrates how macro-level events influence individual lives, contributing to the protagonist's internal turmoil.

Religious References

  • The play is infused with Biblical references and explores themes like sin, guilt, redemption and judgement. This mirrors the deeply rooted influence of Christianity in Welsh society.

  • The portrayal of the protagonist's mother, his encounters with deaths, and the repercussions of sin reflect the rigidly moralistic nature of traditional religious communities.

Nature and Landscape

  • Drawing rich symbolism from the natural landscape, the play adeptly represents the imprint of Welsh geography on its citizens' lives. The wilderness, the mountains, the moonlit night all contribute to a culturally specific setting as well as the protagonist's fraught emotional landscape.

  • The interplay between man and the natural world is a recurring theme, highlighting the shared sense of hardship and resilience in both the Welsh rural community and its environment.

Folklore and Superstition

  • The story makes references to Welsh folklore, superstitions, and cultural rituals. This helps in further immersion into the specific cultural milieu of the setting, providing a backdrop for the protagonist's spiritual and mental crises.

  • The use of symbolic elements like the owl and the roaming specter enhances the cultural authenticity of the narrative and amplifies the story's supernatural undertones.

Class and Economic Context

  • The play also presents the contrasts between different social classes, hinting at economic disparities and insecurities in the setting. This socio-economic layer adds yet another critical dimension to the cultural context of "One Moonlit Night."

  • The hardship of the working class, the lack of opportunities, and the precariousness of rural life are all starkly evident in the protagonist's narration, reinforcing the role of class and economy in his personal trauma.

Course material for Drama and Theatre, module One Moonlit Night, topic One Moonlit Night: cultural context

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