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Year 11 - English

Exploring the stagecraft of 'Leave Taking'

'Leave Taking': setting, structure and stagecraft

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore how Pinnock's use of stragecraft in 'Leave Taking' contributes to the play's themes and ideas. They first look at an overview of the play's stagecraft before exploring different settings and techniques in detail. They finally write an essay on generational conflict.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how the use of stage directions and stagecraft can enhance the storytelling of 'Leave Taking'.

Key Notes

  • The technical elements of stagecraft, like lighting, sound, and props, can enhance the play's action.
  • Stage directions can reveal character emotions and development (for example Enid's identity crisis).
  • The contrasting settings of Mai's bedsit and Enid's flat highlight key differences between them.
  • Lighting and music can emphasise themes of nostalgia, loss and identity.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • stagecraft: the technical elements of a theatrical production, including lighting, sound, and set design
  • stage directions: instructions written into the script of a play, indicating stage actions, movements of performers and production requirements
  • setting: a time frame or location in which a narrative takes place in literature or drama

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may believe that the stage directions are written by whoever is putting on a production of the play.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

The technical elements of stagecraft, like lighting, sound, and props, can enhance the play's action. Stage directions can reveal character emotions and development (for example Enid's identity crisis).

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'stagecraft'

the technical elements of a theatrical production, including lighting, sound, and set design.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may believe that the stage directions are written by whoever is putting on a production of the play. Correction: Although there is some interpretation of how an actor peforms a scene, the stage directions will have been written by the playwright as part of the script.

More Lessons In This Unit

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