Shakespeare - Level 2 - Intermediate
Learning Outcomes
Learners should:
- demonstrate well developed skills of interpretation
- project stage personality
- produce well modulated and projected vocal work
- demonstrate empathetic and imaginative characterisation
- show a detailed knowledge of the play from which the pieces are taken
- demonstrate confident performing skills
- show an understanding of the metre and rhythm
- demonstrate a good understanding of performing Shakespeare
- demonstrate a good understanding of the language and writing of Shakespeare
- demonstrate a good knowledge of Elizabethan Theatre
At this level no scene should exceed 4 minutes.
Grade 4 (15 Minutes)
Learners should be 13 years or over.
Marks awarded at this grade:
Stage Presence: 20 marks
Voice Production: 20 marks
Theme - Character Parts
Learners should:
-
Perform a speech by one of the following:
- Porter - Macbeth, Act II Scene 3, “Here’s a knocking indeed …”
- The Shepherd - The Winter’s Tale. Act III Scene 3, “I would there were no age …”
- Malvolio - Twelfth Night, Act III Scene 4, “O,ho! Do you come near me now? ...”
- Mistress Quickly - Henry IV Part 2, Act II Scene 1, “Marry if thou wert an honest man …”
- The Nurse - Romeo and Juliet, Act IV Scene 5, “Mistress, what, mistress …”
- Paulina - The Winter’s Tale, Act V Scene 3, “What sovereign sir I did not well … something near” (Omit Leontes) (40 marks)
- Discuss with the examiner:
- how the chosen character fits into the play and whether the character supports, drives the action along or is there for another reason for their presence
- the character’s use of language
- the characters and the play from which the speech is taken (20 marks)
Grade 5 Intermediate Medal (15 Minutes)
Marks awarded at this grade:
Stage Presence: 20 marks
Voice Production: 20 marks
Theme - Speeches which inform the audience of events that have taken place off-stage
Learners should:
- Perform one of the following speeches:
- Friar Lawrence - Romeo and Juliet, Act V Scene 3, “I will be brief …”
- Duke of Exeter - Henry V, Act VI Scene 6, “The Duke of York commands him … tears” (Omit Henry)
- The Clown - The Winter’s Tale, Act III Scene 2, “I have seen two such sights … at it now” (Omit The Shepherd)
- Gertrude - Hamlet, Act II Scene 7, “One woe doth tread upon … muddy death” (Omit Laertes)
- Hostess (Mistress Quickly) - Henry V, Act II Scene 3, “Nay, sure he’s not in hell …”
- Calpurnia - Julius Caesar, Act II Scene 2, “What mean you, Caesar? …I do fear them”, (Omit Caesar) (40 marks)
- Discuss with the examiner:
- Shakespeare’s reasons for not showing these scenes but relying on another character’s narrative
- the technique needed to bring the described events vividly to life
- the play from which the speech is taken (20 marks)