The document provides guidance for writing an essay analyzing a performance work through a postmodern lens. It suggests including an introduction defining postmodernism, information about the practitioner and performance, and then analyzing two ideas about the work through interpretation, impression, and analysis sections. For each idea, the interpretation would discuss themes and concepts, the impression would describe a key moment highlighting the interpretation, and the analysis would further connect this to postmodern concepts. The document models how to structure these different sections and provides examples of how to discuss interpretations and impressions in a concise yet academic manner.

1. Impression
by Louise Douse
Week
5
Analysing
Performance

2. The Essay
In what ways can your chosen practitioners work be
considered postmodern. You should discuss the
chosen work by paying particular attention to:
 The significant signs and key stylistic features of
the work
 The key postmodern concepts applied to the
performance
Week 5
Analysing Performance

3. Your
argument
[Insert name of work here]
can be considered
postmodern.
Analysing Performance Week 5

4. Possible
structure
1. Introduction
2. Practitioner info/ outline of work
3. Method
4. Interpretation
5. Impression
6. Analysis
7. Interpretation
8. Impression
9. Analysis
10. Conclusion
Analysing Performance Week 5
Idea 1
Idea 2

5. Introduction
200 words
TBC – Might include paragraph on Postmodernism
Analysing Performance Week 5

6. Postmodernism
(100 words)
 One paragraph to define
postmodernism and explain the
key ideas (for intro/method) –
100 words
 POINT: Postmodernism is…
 EVIDENCE: Quote from
academically rigorous resource
 EXPLANATION: Explain in own words
Week
5
Analysing
Performance

7. Practitioner info/
outline of work
200 words
You might want to try to put something together for yourself.
Analysing Performance Week 5

8. Method
200 words
TBC – Might include paragraph on Postmodernism
Analysing Performance Week 5

9. Idea 1
Interpretation, Impression, Analysis

10. Interpretation
200 words
Analysing Performance Week 5

11. Interpretation
- 200 words
Analysing Performance Week 5
• One of the key themes of the work…
• An interpretation of the work…
Point –What is the work about?
• One critic writes, “…” (Ref)
• This is supported by X who states… (Ref)
Evidence – How has it typically been
interpreted?
• This is a key concern of postmodernism because…
• This relates to X’s theory of … because…
Explanation – How do these ideas relate to
postmodernism?

12. Impression
200 words
Analysing Performance Week 5

13. Impression
 Impression is not only the domain of the performer who has to execute
movement in a particular way so it may ‘give an impression’ and be
perceived by an audience. Impression is the constant dual channel of
receiving and giving information through our senses; an image in the mind
caused by something external to it.
(Preston-Dunlop, V. & Sanchez-Colberg, A. 2002, p. 16)
Week 5
Analysing Performance

14. How do I go
about it?
Practising Ideas Approaches to Theory Week 7
Watch your work, multiple times
Choose a particular section or sections which highlight
your interpretation
Note down the key elements of the performance in
terms of performer, movement, sound and space
Consider any key connections between strands
Articulate how this is a clear example of your previous
interpretation
Write up your paragraph!

15. Impression
- 200 words
Analysing Performance Week 5
• One of the key moments of the work…
• This particular theme is highlighted when…
Point –What is key moment in the work
that highlights your previous point?
• The performers are…
• A key action is… which is performed with… dynamics
Evidence – Can you describe the key
elements?
• This particular section suggests…
• As an example of … this could be interpreted as..
Explanation – How does this link to your
interpretation?

16. Analysis
200 words
TBC
Analysing Performance Week 5

17. Idea 2
Interpretation, Impression, Analysis
Repeat same structure

18. Conclusion
200 words
TBC
Analysing Performance Week 5

19. Gecko – The Race
 Idea 1
 Interpretation – challenging stereotypes re: fatherhood / Lyotard &
metanarratives
 Impression – puppet scene
 Analysis - TBC
 Idea 2
 Interpretation – uses multiple forms of theatre to create a hybrid / pastiche,
intertextuality (Kristeva/Barthes)
 Impression – multiple sections
 Analysis - TBC
Week 5
Analysing Performance

20. Bibliography
 Elam, K. (2002) The semiotics of theatre and drama. London: Routledge.
 Pavis, P. (2003) Analyzing performance: theater, dance, and film. Ann Arbor: University of
Michigan Press.
 Preson-Dunlop,V. & Sanchez-Colberg, A. (2010) Dance and the performative: a
choreological perspective: Laban and beyond. London: Dance Books.
 Storey, J. (2006) Cultural theory and popular culture: an introduction. Harlow: Pearson
Prentice Hall.
Week 5
Analysing Performance