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frantic assembly and physical theatre

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4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: frantic assembly and physical theatre

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about frantic assembly and physical theatre. Then check against the key terms: Drama Exam Tips. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Drama Exam Tips.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: frantic assembly and physical theatre. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Drama because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Describe three Frantic Assembly techniques and explain the dramatic effect each can create.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about frantic assembly and physical theatre.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: frantic assembly and physical theatre

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on frantic assembly and physical theatre. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: Physical theatre: the body is the primary means of expression — movement communicates meaning beyond words.
Key Fact: Frantic Assembly's chair work: using chairs as the central prop — creates dynamic, rhythmic, often aggressive sequences.
Key Fact: Push hands: two performers pushing against each other's hands — creates tension, balance and relational dynamics.
Key Fact: Lift and lean: one performer supports another's weight — requires trust, shows relationship and dependency.
Key Fact: Unison and counterpoint: moving together (unison) shows unity; moving in opposition (counterpoint) shows conflict or individuality.
Drama Exam Tips: For physical theatre questions, describe movement PRECISELY: who moves, how they move, what it represents, and the effect. 'Two performers stand close, hands pressed together, pushing rhythmically — the counter-tension represents their competing desires, the increasing force shows escalating conflict.'
TermMeaningExample
Chair duetFrantic AssemblyIntimate relationships
Push-pull sequencesFrantic AssemblyPower dynamics
Lift/counter-balanceFrantic AssemblyTrust, vulnerability
Contact improvisationLecoq traditionSpontaneous connection
Physical metaphorGecko TheatreAbstract ideas through body
FlockingEnsemble techniqueGroup unity/leadership

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: Describe three Frantic Assembly techniques and explain the dramatic effect each can create.

Answer: Three named techniques with dramatic effect: chair work (rhythm, aggression, status); push hands (tension, balance of power); lift and lean (trust, dependency, vulnerability). Each linked to specific dramatic meaning.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: frantic assembly and physical theatre

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: Drama Exam Tips. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Q1: Describe three Frantic Assembly techniques and explain the dramatic effect each can create.

Answer: Three named techniques with dramatic effect: chair work (rhythm, aggression, status); push hands (tension, balance of power); lift and lean (trust, dependency, vulnerability). Each linked to specific dramatic meaning.

Q2: How can physical theatre communicate emotions and relationships more effectively than dialogue alone?

Answer: Physical theatre bypasses language to communicate directly through the body — proximity, touch, weight and rhythm reveal relationship dynamics instantly. It can show conflict, intimacy or power shifts without a single word.

Q3: You are creating a devised piece about conflict. How would you use physical theatre techniques to explore this theme?

Answer: Practical response showing: push hands to show conflict escalation; unison breaking into counterpoint to show unity fracturing; chair work to create aggressive confrontations; lift/lean to show shifting power. Each linked to the theme of conflict.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: frantic assembly and physical theatre

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Extended Answer

Extended question: Full-Mark Response How would you use Frantic Assembly techniques to devise a piece about a relationship breaking down? Describe and justify at least three physical theatre sequences. <div class="

A grade 9 response will: name three specific techniques; describe each sequence precisely (who, what, how); explain the dramatic meaning of each; show how the sequences develop the theme; consider the audience's experience; evaluate the effectiveness of physical theatre for this subject matter. Mark scheme: Physical theatre questions test AO3 (performance skills) and AO4 (evaluation). In devising, physical theatre techniques ...

Exam Tips: Name Frantic Assembly techniques precisely — 'chair duet', not 'chairs scene' | Physical theatre is about MEANING through MOVEMENT — not just 'it looks cool' | Always link physical choices to the emotional/relational content | Safety and trust are essential when discussing contact work
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often make mistakes here. Wrong: Physical theatre is just dancing — it doesn't have the same dramatic depth as scripted dialogue. Correct: Physical theatre uses movement as a primary language for dramatic meaning. Frantic Assembly's techniques communicate complex emotions and relationships through the body. Movement can be MORE powerful than words for showing conflict, intimacy and power because it bypasses intellectual processing and hits the audience viscerally.
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how frantic assembly and physical theatre connects to another Drama topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of frantic assembly and physical theatre
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in frantic assembly and physical theatre?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)