Written specifically for GCSE students by academics in the field, the Methuen Drama GCSE Guides conveniently gather indispensable resources and tips for successful understanding and writing all in one place, preparing students to approach their exams with confidence. Key features include a critical commentary of the play with extensive, clearly labelled analyses on themes, characters and context. They take studying drama even further with sections on dramatic technique, critical reception, related works, fascinating behind-the-scenes interviews with playwrights, directors or actors, and a helpful glossary of dramatic terms. Charlotte Keatley's My Mother Said I Never Should grapples with social forces that threaten to split four generations of women apart. When Jackie, who is unmarried, gives away her baby to her mother, the women are united in keeping this family secret yet divided in their opinions of it. Closely following the requirements of GCSE English Literature assessment objectives, these studies include expert advice on how to write about modern drama. With featured activities for group study and independent work, they are versatile and valuable to students and teachers alike.

 

This book is part of a book series called Gcse Student Guides .

This book is aimed at children in secondary school.

There are 128 pages in this book. This book was published 2015 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC .

Sophie Bush is a lecturer in Performance at Sheffield Hallam University. Her research and teaching interests lie in the history, practice and politics of contemporary British Theatre. She maintains an involvement with practical theatre-making, as director and devisor. She is also the editor of My Mother Said I Never Should GCSE Student Edition.

This book has the following chapters: Overview Context (time of writing; times depicted in play; contemporary relevance) Themes (e. g. motherhood; unmarried motherhood/adoption; women's place in the family; women's place in the workplace; changing opportunities and roles for women over 20th century; family secrets; mother-daughter relationships; the way we recreate history/pass things on) Character Dramatic Technique (language; structure; focus on text in performance - stylisation, design, lighting, etc. ) Critical Reception (reviews of original productions; contemporary reviews) 2. Behind the Scenes (interview with playwright, director, actor, teacher - tbc) 3. Writing about the Play (tips for academic writing; incorporating contextual material; and selecting and integrating quotations) Critical Writings (some short accessible extracts) Related Work (e. g. Whale Music; Be My Baby; Taste of Honey; Top Girls) Glossary of Dramatic Terms