Shakespeare - Level 1 - Foundation
Learning Outcomes
Learners should:
- achieve enjoyment and progress through the learning process
- increase confidence
- demonstrate a sense of appropriate theatrical performance
- demonstrate basic skills of interpretation
- demonstrate the development of technical skills
- demonstrate a basic understanding of performing Shakespeare
- demonstrate a basic understanding of the language and writing of Shakespeare
- demonstrate a basic knowledge of Elizabethan Theatre
At this level no scene should exceed 3 minutes.
Grade 1 (10 Minutes)
Learners must be 11 years or over.
Marks awarded at this grade:
Stage Presence: 20 marks
Voice Production: 20 marks
Theme - Introductions
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Perform one of the following from A Midsummer Night’s Dream:
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- Puck, Act II Scene 1, “Fairy thou speakest …”
- Lysander, Act I Scene 1, “Therefore hear me, Hermia …”
- Bottom, Act III Scene 1, “Masters you ought to consider …”, (Omit Snout)
- Fairy, Act II Scene 1, “Over hill, over dale …”
- Helena, Act II Scene 2, “O, I am out of breath …”
- Titania, Act II Scene 1, “Set your heart at rest … (40 marks)
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Discuss with the examiner:
- how the speech chosen helps the audience understand more about a character or explains what is going on
- the plot of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (20 marks)
Grade 2 (10 Minutes)
Marks awarded at this grade:
Stage Presence: 20 marks
Voice Production: 20 marks
Theme - Communication with audience
Learners should:
- Perform one of the following speeches:
- The Boy - Henry V, Act III Scene 2, “As young as I am …”
- Sebastian - Twelfth Night, Act IV Scene 3, “This is the air …”
- Launcelot - Merchant of Venice, Act II Scene 2, “Certainly my conscience …”
- Viola - Twelfth Night, Act II Scene 2, “I left no ring with her …”
- Imogen - Cymbeline, Act III Scene 6, “I see a man’s life …”
- Helena - A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act I Scene 1, “How happy some or other … (40 marks)
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Discuss with the examiner:
- the events leading up to the speech
- the play from which the speech is taken
- the different parts of the Elizabethan playhouse where the audience would sit or stand (20 marks)
Grade 3 Foundation Medal (10 Minutes)
Marks awarded at this grade:
Stage Presence: 20 marks
Voice Production: 20 marks
Theme - Prologues and Chorus
Learners should:
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Perform a Prologue from one of the following:
(An extract may be selected from the Prologues, but it must not be less than 15 lines)- Chorus - Henry V, Act I, “O for a muse of fire …”
- Chorus - Henry V, Act II, “Now all the youth of England …”
- Chorus - Romeo and Juliet, Act I, “Two households both alike …”
- Chorus - Romeo and Juliet, Act II, “Now old desire doth in his deathbed …”
- Rumour - Henry IV Part 2, Act I, “Open your ears …”
- Time - The Winter’s Tale, Act IV, “I, that please some …” (40 marks)
- Discuss with the examiner:
- the role of the Prologue
- why some plays need Prologues
- Elizabethan Playhouses (the learner can bring a plan or drawing to aid discussion)
- the play from which the speech is taken (20 marks)