English and Theatre

English and theatre is a combination that draws on two disciplines with a long shared history. Drama emerged from literature and has always maintained a close relationship with it: plays are texts before they are performances, and literary study has always included the reading of dramatic works. Theatre, however, also exceeds what can be captured on the page, demanding attention to performance, space, the body, sound and the dynamics of live encounter.

Studying both together gives you access to the full range of what dramatic literature is and does.

At Queen Mary University of London, this three-year full-time programme with a typical entry tariff of 152 UCAS points combines practical and theoretical study across both disciplines. You will read texts from a broad spectrum of genres and periods, developing the skills of literary analysis, close reading and critical argument that English study demands. In the theatre component, you will engage with the practice and theory of performance, exploring how texts are translated into live events and how theatre has functioned across different cultures and historical moments as a political, social and artistic force.

The two strands are designed to reinforce each other, with the analytical rigour of literary study informing your engagement with performance and the practical experience of theatre deepening your appreciation of dramatic texts.

Graduates from English and theatre programmes pursue careers in theatre companies, cultural organisations, education, journalism, publishing, writing, arts administration, broadcasting and the creative industries. The ability to read, write and communicate with precision and nuance, developed through English study, combined with the creative, collaborative and performance skills developed through theatre, makes graduates versatile and competitive in many professional contexts. Postgraduate study in English literature, drama, theatre studies or creative writing is a natural next step for those who want to specialise or pursue academic careers.