What are the WJEC set texts for Unit 3?

The current WJEC set texts include 'Find Me' by Olwen Wymark, 'The IT' by Erin Browne, 'Sparkleshark' by Philip Ridley, 'Noughts & Crosses' by Dominic Cooke, and 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle' by Bertolt Brecht. You will only study and answer questions on one of these plays in Section A.

How do I structure a 15-mark question in the WJEC Drama exam?

Use the 'PETA' structure: make a Point about your creative intention, provide Evidence from the script (a quote or stage direction), use technical Terminology (like 'proxemics' or 'inflection'), and provide an Analysis of how this would affect the audience's understanding of the scene.

Do I need to be good at drawing for the design questions?

No, you are not marked on your artistic ability. Examiners look for 'annotated sketches', which are simple diagrams with clear labels. The marks are awarded for the creative ideas and the justification of those ideas, not the quality of the drawing itself.

What is 'proxemics' and why is it important in the exam?

Proxemics refers to the use of space on stage and the distance between characters. In the exam, describing proxemics is a high-level way to show character relationships; for example, a character standing far away from a group can visually signal their isolation or social exclusion.

Can I write about a school play for the Section B Live Theatre Review?

No, WJEC requires you to review a professional live theatre production. This means a play performed by professional actors in a professional venue. While digital streams of professional plays (like National Theatre Live) are often accepted, a school or amateur production will not meet the criteria for high marks.

What is the difference between vocal and physical skills?

Vocal skills include pitch, pace, volume, tone, pause, and accent. Physical skills include posture, gesture, facial expression, gait (how you walk), and movement. In the exam, you should aim to mention a balance of both to show a complete understanding of characterisation.

Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre

WJEC

GCSE

Unit 3, Section A requires learners to study one complete performance text from a prescribed list of seven. Learners must approach the text practically as an actor, designer, and director, considering construction, meaning, and context. The examination consists of a series of questions on an extract provided in the paper and one question on the wider text.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Subtopics in this area

Section A

Topic Overview

Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre is the final component of the WJEC GCSE Drama qualification, consisting of a 1 hour 30-minute written examination worth 40% of the total grade. This unit transitions students from being performers to being critics and designers, requiring a deep analytical understanding of how a play is constructed for an audience. It is designed to test your ability to visualize a script in performance and to critically evaluate the work of professional theatre-makers.

The exam is divided into two sections: Section A focuses on a 'Set Text' that you have studied practically in class, while Section B requires a review of a live theatre production you have seen during the course. This unit matters because it bridges the gap between practical creativity and academic analysis, teaching you how to articulate complex artistic choices using professional terminology. It fits into the wider subject by ensuring students understand the 'total theatre' experience—where acting, directing, and design intersect.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Vocal and Physical Skills: The precise use of pitch, pace, tone, gait, and gesture to communicate character subtext and motivation.
→Design Semiotics: How technical elements like lighting states (e.g., wash, spot, intensity), soundscapes, and costume fabrics signify meaning and period to an audience.
→Staging and Proxemics: The strategic placement of actors and set pieces on stage to illustrate power dynamics and relationships.
→Audience Impact: The intended emotional or intellectual response of the spectators to specific creative choices made by the production team.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Knowledge and understanding of the set text as an actor, designer, and director
Analysis of how the text is constructed (genre, structure, character, form, style, language/dialogue, stage directions)
Understanding of social, historical, and cultural context, including theatrical conventions of the period
Interpretation and communication of meaning through performance conventions
Ability to use a clean, unannotated copy of the set text in the examination
Quality of written communication

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Knowledge and understanding of the set text as an actor, designer, and director
Analysis of how the text is constructed (genre, structure, character, form, style, language/dialogue, stage directions)
Understanding of social, historical, and cultural context, including theatrical conventions of the period
Interpretation and communication of meaning through performance conventions
Ability to use a clean, unannotated copy of the set text in the examination
Quality of written communication

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Study the text practically as a performer, designer, and director throughout the course
💡Ensure the chosen edition of the play is from the publisher listed in the specification
💡Ensure the copy of the text taken into the exam is completely clean and free of annotations
💡Practice analyzing extracts and the wider text using drama terminology
💡Review the list of drama terms in Appendix C for use in responses
💡Use 'Tier 3' Vocabulary: Consistently use technical terms like 'diegetic sound', 'non-naturalistic', 'cyclorama', and 'monologue' to demonstrate high-level subject knowledge.
💡The 'Why' Factor: For every creative choice you suggest (e.g., 'I would use a high pitch'), you must explain 'why' (e.g., 'to show the character's growing anxiety and loss of control').
💡Annotated Sketches: In design questions, a simple, clearly labeled sketch can often communicate your ideas more effectively than a long paragraph and is highly encouraged by WJEC markers.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Failing to approach the text from the perspectives of actor, designer, and director
Ignoring the social, historical, or cultural context of the play
Using an annotated copy of the set text in the examination
Failing to use appropriate drama and theatre terminology
Selecting a text for Unit 3 that does not contrast sufficiently with the text used for Unit 2
Narrating the Plot: Many students waste marks by describing what happens in the story. Examiners already know the play; you must focus on 'how' you would perform or design it, not 'what' happens.
Vague Design Choices: Saying you would use 'bright lights' or 'sad music' is too generic. You must specify the equipment (e.g., a profile spot with a straw gel) and the specific mood or atmosphere it creates.
Ignoring the Stage Type: Students often forget to mention the staging configuration (e.g., Proscenium Arch, Thrust, or In-the-round) which dictates how actors move and how the set is positioned.

Revision Plan

How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

1Week 1, Day 1-2: Create character 'mood boards' for the set text, identifying three key scenes and listing specific vocal and physical traits for the protagonist in each.
2Week 1, Day 3-4: Revise technical theatre terminology, focusing on lighting (types of lanterns), sound (diegetic vs non-diegetic), and set (levels and composite sets).
3Week 2, Day 1-2: Structure your Live Theatre Review notes into three clear categories: Acting, Set/Lighting, and Costume, ensuring you have specific examples of 'impact on the audience' for each.
4Week 2, Day 3-5: Practice timed '15-mark' questions from past papers, focusing on the PETA structure (Point, Evidence, Terminology, Analysis) to ensure depth.

Exam Question Types

How this topic typically appears in the exam

📋The 6-10 Mark Acting Question: Asks how you would perform a specific line or short extract. Advice: Focus on three specific vocal and three physical skills, linking them directly to the character's objective in that moment.
📋The 12-15 Mark Design Question: Asks for your design ideas for a specific scene (e.g., costume or lighting). Advice: Describe the colors, textures, and positioning, and explain how these choices reflect the themes of the play.
📋Section B: Live Theatre Review: A long-form evaluative essay. Advice: You must analyze a specific moment of the performance and explain how the actors or designers successfully communicated the play's message to you as an audience member.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•A comprehensive reading and practical exploration of one of the WJEC set texts (e.g., 'Find Me', 'The IT', or 'Sparkleshark').
•Basic knowledge of stage directions (Upstage Right, Downstage Left, etc.) and theatre configurations.
•Experience of watching at least one professional live theatre performance and taking detailed notes on production values.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Analyse

Evaluate

Explain

Describe

Discuss

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE Drama

Unit 1: Devised Theatre

Unit 1: Devised Theatre

Unit 2: Performing Theatre

Unit 1: Devised Theatre

How to Revise Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre — WJEC GCSE Drama

Examiner Tips for Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre

Common Mistakes in Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre

Key Marking Points

Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the WJEC set texts for Unit 3?

How do I structure a 15-mark question in the WJEC Drama exam?

Do I need to be good at drawing for the design questions?

What is 'proxemics' and why is it important in the exam?

Can I write about a school play for the Section B Live Theatre Review?

What is the difference between vocal and physical skills?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE Drama

Unit 1: Devised Theatre

Unit 1: Devised Theatre

Unit 2: Performing Theatre

Unit 1: Devised Theatre