Interested in developing your skills in popular performance and becoming a more versatile performer? Want to find out about the origins of much of today’s live entertainment industry, by learning about the politically radical DIY performance scene of Alternative Cabaret?
In this module, weekly workshops will introduce you to a range of performance skills including music making, performance poetry, stand-up comedy, sketch comedy and speciality acts, all of which involve learning how to address an audience directly and manipulate their responses.
You will also learn about 1980s Alternative Cabaret, using primary historical sources in the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive for a research essay. You will regularly devise and perform your own acts, inspired by historical examples from Alternative Cabaret, and the module culminates in a cabaret performed to a live audience in a public venue.
By the end of the module, you will emerge with an enhanced confidence in your ability to engage and hold an audience, whether in a theatre, comedy club, classroom or the wider workplace.
Lecture / Practical: 27 hours
Workshop: 27 hours
Main Assessment Methods:
Essay
Assessment Details: Analysis of primary source (1,500 words). Worth 40%.
Practical Competency.
5-10 minute contribution to showcase performance.
Assessment Details: Individual contribution to performance worth 60%. This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment Method:
Like for Like, with recorded performance where applicable.
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages. https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Apply a range of performance, writing/devising, and production skills appropriate to the style of 1980s Alternative Cabaret.
2. Analyse the historic form of Alternative Cabaret, drawing out some of the wider issues relating to the cultural context the 1980s, demonstrating working knowledge of the form and evidence of research skills.
3. Reflect on their own learning, identifying strategies for development, exploring strengths and weaknesses and developing autonomy in learning and continuous professional development.
4. Apply communication skills to collaborate effectively with others, understand group dynamics and navigate interpersonal issues productively when realising a practical project.
5. Develop and pursue a creative project within specified resource constraints of time, space and/or budget, thus developing problem solving skills.
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