Organisation : Department of Basic Education
Exam : National Senior Certificate Examinations
Document Type : NSC Sample Question Paper
Subject : Dramatic Arts
Category : Grade 12
Year : 2017
Website : https://www.education.gov.za/2017FebMarchNSCExamPapers.aspx
Download Sample Question Paper :
Memo 1 : https://www.southafricain.com/uploads/10885-Memo.pdf
Paper 1 : https://www.southafricain.com/uploads/10885-Arts.pdf
Education NSC Examination Dramatic Arts Question Paper
Marks : 150
Time : 3 hours
** This question paper consists of 17 pages.
Related : Department of Basic Education NSC Examination Design Question Paper 2017 : www.southafricain.com/10881.html
Instructions & Information
This question paper consists of FOUR sections:
SECTION A: 20th Century Theatre Movements (30)
SECTION B: South African Theatre: 1960–1994 (40)
SECTION C: South African Theatre: Post-1994 – Contemporary (40)
SECTION D: The History of Theatre, Practical Concepts, Content and Skills (40)
SECTION A :
QUESTION 1 is COMPULSORY.
Refer to the play text you have studied and the relevant 20th Century Theatre Movement.
EPIC THEATRE
Caucasian Chalk Circle Bertolt Brecht
Kaukasiese Krytsirkel Translation of Bertolt Brecht play text
Mother Courage Bertolt Brecht
Moeder Courage Translation of Bertolt Brecht play text
The Good Person of Szechwan Bertolt Brecht
Kanna Hy Kô Hystoe Adam Small
OR
THEATRE OF THE ABSURD
Waiting for Godot Samuel Beckett
Afspraak met Godot Translation of Samuel Beckett play text
Bagasie André P Brink
The Bald Primadonna Eugene Ionesco
Die Kaalkop Primadonna Translation of Eugene Ionesco play text
OR
POSTMODERN THEATRE
Skrapnel Willem Anker
Top Girls Carol Churchill
Popcorn Ben Elton
Buried Child Sam Shepard
SECTION B :
This section consists of THREE questions. Answer only ONE question in this section.
QUESTION 2: Woza Albert! Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema and Barney Simon OR
QUESTION 3: Sophiatown Junction Avenue Theatre Company OR
QUESTION 4: Siener in die Suburbs PG du Plessis
SECTION C :
This section consists of THREE questions. Answer only ONE question in this section.
QUESTION 5: Nothing but the Truth John Kani OR
QUESTION 6: Groundswell Ian Bruce OR
QUESTION 7: Missing Reza de Wet
SECTION D :
This section consists of ONE question. QUESTION 8 is COMPULSORY.
Sample Question
SECTION A
20th CENTURY THEATRE MOVEMENTS :
This section is COMPULSORY.
QUESTION 1 :
Study SOURCE A below and answer the question that follows.
SOURCE A
Select ONE of the quotes in SOURCE A above, which best represents the characteristics of the 20th Century Theatre Movement you have studied:
Theatre of the Absurd OR
Epic Theatre OR
Postmodern Theatre
Discuss, in an essay, how the quotation you have selected shows how the relevant 20th Century Theatre Movement revolutionised (changed) theatre performance at that time, in terms of staging techniques, devices and conventions.
Indicate the title of the play text you have studied at the top of your essay. TOTAL SECTION A: 30
SECTION B
SOUTH AFRICAN THEATRE: 1960–1994
Answer only ONE question in this section.
QUESTION 2:
WOZA ALBERT! BY PERCY MTWA, MBONGENI NGEMA AND BARNEY SIMON Study SOURCE B below and answer the questions that follow.
SOURCE B
Excellent set, excellent lighting, excellent costuming and props – with clever use of all these, Woza Albert! stays true to Grotowski’s Poor Theatre and pays tribute to South Africa’s Protest
Theatre which emerged in South Africa during the late 1970s and 1980s. It’s astute anti-apartheid satire at its best.
With minimal costume, Zondi and Nzimade recreate all of South Africa and transport us to the harsh reality of 1980s apartheid South Africa.
2.1 Explain the ‘clever use’ (line 1) of the props. Refer to ONE example in the play text. (2)
2.2 Describe the lighting and costumes that might be used in a production of Woza Albert! in order to stay ‘true to Grotowski’s Poor Theatre’ (line 2). (4)
2.3 What will be the benefits of staging a production of Woza Albert! in a Poor Theatre style? (4)
2.4 Explain how Woza Albert! uses ‘anti-apartheid satire’ (line 4) to communicate serious apartheid issues. Give TWO examples of the techniques used. (4)
QUESTION 3: SOPHIATOWN BY THE JUNCTION AVENUE THEATRE COMPANY
Study SOURCE C below and answer the questions that follow.
SOURCE C
Purkey’s Sophiatown was conceived in a rehearsal room of the Junction Avenue Theatre Company and was the result of a joint effort of a group of multiracial, militant theatre practitioners.
Sophiatown takes the audience on a journey back to the 1950s and the golden age of Sophiatown before it was demolished.
3.1 Name the theatrical term for a ‘joint effort of a group’ (line 2) to create a play. (1)
3.2 Describe the community of Sophiatown, the place, in the 1950s. (4)
3.3 Suggest why Sophiatown, the play, could be classified as a township musical. (3)
3.4 Analyse how TWO of the characters in the play text reflect a ‘melting pot of cultural differences’ (lines 9–10). (6)
3.5 Explain how the actor playing the role of the ‘barely articulate’ (line 14) Charlie, could make his vocal and physical performance memorable. (4)
SECTION C
SOUTH AFRICAN THEATRE: POST-1994 – CONTEMPORARY
Answer only ONE question in this section.
QUESTION 5: NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH BY JOHN KANI
Study SOURCE F below and answer the questions that follow.
SOURCE F
Imagine your perfect play – the one that made you laugh, cry and think deeply about an issue of great importance.
This powerful drama is a window to a world nobody living comfortably in middle Australia could truly understand. But it also touches on our shared humanity.
5.1 Identify ONE ‘issue of great importance’ (line 2) in Nothing But The Truth which could make you ‘laugh’, ‘cry’ or ‘think deeply’. (2)
5.2 Explain why your choice in QUESTION 5.1 is an ‘issue of great importance’ (line 2) in the play text. (2)
5.3 Discuss whether or not anyone ‘living comfortably in middle Australia could truly understand’ this play. (Lines 3–4) (2)
SECTION D
The History Of Theatre, Practical Concepts, Content And Skills :
This section is COMPULSORY.
QUESTION 8 :
Study SOURCE I below and answer the questions that follow.
Case Study
Lerato recently matriculated from her high school in a rural community in South Africa. She always had a passion for Dramatic Arts at school and a keen interest in the environment. Her community has been severely affected by the recent drought experienced in the country.
8.1 Define the following terms:
8.1.1 Community theatre (2)
8.1.2 Theatre for Conservation/Environmental Theatre (2)
8.2 State TWO requirements to start a community theatre company. (2)
8.3 Describe a possible storyline for a play on water conservation. (4)
8.4 Give your play a title. (1)
8.5 Choose ONE of the two images in SOURCE I that you may use as a poster to advertise your play. Motivate why you choose this image. (3)