Module manager: Prof George Rodosthenous
Email: g.rodosthenous@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module will explore the history of musical theatre on stage from the beginning of the twentieth century until today. Students will listen to and study examples of musical theatre from a range of twentieth century genres, which will include West End, Broadway and Hollywood musicals.There will be an exploration of the relationship between theatrical narratives and musical structures. Students will consider the impact of economic, political, social and technological factors upon the stage musicals on the West End. This module will also examine the latest works and innovations of recent musical theatre practitioners.Students will investigate, question and challenge some of the conventions and assumptions of the form and through contextual study they will explore and question the message and assumptions of the genre.
On completion of this module, students should be able to ...recognise the history of musical theatre on stage from the turn of the twentieth century through to the present day;analyse recent trends in musical theatre;examine the relationship of specific works to their social and historical contexts.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Apply knowledge of the structural conventions of a range of examples of the genre
2. The ability to Interpret the relationship between the music and the dramatic components of the genre
3. Explore of the relationship between narrative structures and music forms
4. Integration of socio-political contextual research within their analysis(es).
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Develop proficiency in identifying and understanding the structural conventions of various examples within musical theatre.
6. Cultivate the skill to interpret and analyse the intricate relationship between music and drama components within the musical theatre.
7. Acquire and demonstrate proficiency in effective presentational skills.
Indicative themes and structure:
• Introduction: New Contexts in 21st Century Musicals
• Politics, Pastiche and Origins of the Mega Musical (Gilbert and Sullivan to Spiderman)
• Stephen Sondheim (Merrily we roll along, Sweeney Todd)
• The Politics of Performance (Brecht, Weill and the Threepenny Opera)
• Men in Musicals (Dirty Dancing)
• Women in Musicals (Patriarchy, Historicism,Objectification)
• Stereotypes and Racial Representation (Porgy and Bess)
• Experimental film musicals (Dancer in the Dark)
• The Jukebox Musical (Mamma Mia)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Lecture | 9 | 2 | 18 |
| Seminar | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 174 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 26 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Contribution to classes.Discussion with tutors (as appropriate)Specific assignment support in small group seminars
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 3,500-4,000 word essay | 70 |
| Presentation | 15 minute group presentation | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team