# Dramatic Arts Grade 12 NSC November 2023 QP (Eng) > Grade 12 Dramatic Arts question paper from the NSC November Exam 2023 (English), 19 pages. Read online or get the free PDF download, memo linked when available. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/dramatic-arts-nov-2023-eng/9495f15f-cb71-4b42-ab67-6a4b08401714 - Updated: 2026-09-27 - Subject: Dramatic Arts - Grade: Grade 12 - Document type: Question paper - Year: 2023 - Exam period: NSC November Exam - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 19 Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 12](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12) › [Dramatic Arts](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12/dramatic-arts) › [Dramatic Arts Grade 12 NSC November 2023 QP (Eng)](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/dramatic-arts-nov-2023-eng/9495f15f-cb71-4b42-ab67-6a4b08401714) ## About this document Dramatic Arts · Grade 12 · NSC November Exam · 2023. Question paper, 19 pages. Read online or download the PDF. Read it free online on the page above; download the PDF from there. ## Document text Text extracted from the PDF. Layout, diagrams and tables may not survive extraction. ### Page 1 Downloaded from hlayiso.com NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 12 DRAMATIC ARTS NOVEMBER 2023 MARKS: 150 TIME: 3 hours This question paper consists of 19 pages. This question paper must be printed in full colour. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 2 DBE/November 2023 NSC INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 1. This question paper consists of FOUR sections: SECTION A: 20th Century European 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) 2. SECTION A QUESTION 1 is COMPULSORY. Refer to ONE of the play texts below that you have studied and its relevant 20th Century European 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 POST-MODERN THEATRE  Skrapnel Willem Anker  Top Girls Carol Churchill  Popcorn Ben Elton  Buried Child Sam Shepard 3. 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 4. 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 5. SECTION D This section is COMPULSORY. Answer QUESTIONS 8 and 9. Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 3 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 3 DBE/November 2023 NSC SECTION A: 20th CENTURY EUROPEAN THEATRE MOVEMENTS This question is COMPULSORY. QUESTION 1 Refer to SOURCE A, B or C below and answer the question that follows. SOURCE A: THEATRE OF THE ABSURD [Source: Examiner's own text] OR Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 4 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 4 DBE/November 2023 NSC SOURCE B: EPIC THEATRE Lehrstücke epic theatre houselights stay on archetypes historification [Source: Examiner's own text] OR Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 5 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 5 DBE/November 2023 NSC SOURCE C: POSTMODERN THEATRE postmodern theatre no grand narrative non-traditional theatre psychoanalysis [Source: Examiner's own text] Select SOURCE A, B OR C. These sources contain many characteristics of Theatre of the Absurd, Epic Theatre OR Postmodern Theatre. In an essay, discuss how the characteristics of Theatre of the Absurd, Epic Theatre OR Postmodern Theatre are seen in the play text you studied. Refer to the characters and themes of the play. Write the title of the play text and the 20th Century Movement (Theatre of the Absurd OR Epic Theatre OR Postmodern Theatre) you studied, as a heading before the beginning of your essay. TOTAL SECTION A: 30 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 6 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 6 DBE/November 2023 NSC 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 D below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE D: A SCENE FROM WOZA ALBERT! [Source: Sowetan Live] 2.1 Name the TWO characters in SOURCE D. (2) 2.2 Suggest how the actors create the mood of the scene depicted in SOURCE D. (4) 2.3 Describe the set used in the play. (4) 2.4 Explain why the set is a suitable environment for a performance of the play. (4) 2.5 Motivate why the costumes in SOURCE D are suitable for an actor in Poor Theatre. (4) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 7 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 7 DBE/November 2023 NSC Study SOURCE E below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE E: AN EXTRACT FROM A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT WOZA ALBERT! The brilliance of Woza Albert! is not only in the story of Morena (Jesus Christ) coming to an apartheid South Africa, but also in the fact that the two actors were able to create a whole world on stage vocally and physically using the workshop process. They perform many characters that highlight the South African human condition during apartheid, with its racism, police brutality, poverty, forced removals, exploitation, etc. 5 – Themba Ntshingila 2.6 Analyse how the actors were 'able to create a whole world on stage' vocally and/or physically (lines 2–3). Refer to specific examples in the play. (6) 2.7 Discuss the workshop process as used by Mbongeni Ngema and Percy Mtwa to create the play Woza Albert! (6) 2.8 Evaluate how Woza Albert! manages to highlight the 'South African human condition during apartheid with its racism, police brutality, poverty, forced removals, exploitation, etc.' (lines 4–5) and why it is still relevant to our society today. Refer to any THREE of these themes in your answer. (10) [40] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 8 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 8 DBE/November 2023 NSC QUESTION 3: SOPHIATOWN BY THE JUNCTION AVENUE THEATRE COMPANY Study SOURCE F below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE F: A SCENE FROM SOPHIATOWN [Source: Google Images] 3.1 Identify TWO female characters on stage in SOURCE F. (2) 3.2 Suggest how the actors create the mood of the scene depicted in SOURCE F. (4) 3.3 Describe the set used in the play. (4) 3.4 Explain why the set is a suitable environment for a performance of the play. (4) 3.5 Motivate whether or not the costumes are suitable for Sophiatown. (4) 3.6 Discuss how THREE of the female characters in the play find a way to survive in Sophiatown. (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 9 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 9 DBE/November 2023 NSC Study SOURCE G and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE G: AN EXTRACT FROM A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT SOPHIATOWN This lively and memorable Township Musical is being revived with a new, young cast under the experienced eye of director Malcolm Purkey. In his director's note, Purkey says, 'I have chosen to focus on the issues of family, identity, cultural diversity, race and conflict. Clearly these themes are still relevant for a post-apartheid South Africa.' 5 – Sam Dube 3.7 Describe and analyse the characteristics of a Township Musical. (6) 3.8 Evaluate how the issues of family, identity, cultural diversity, race and conflict are reflected in the play Sophiatown and why they are still relevant to our society today. Refer to any THREE of these themes in your answer. (10) [40] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 10 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 10 DBE/November 2023 NSC QUESTION 4: SIENER IN DIE SUBURBS BY PG DU PLESSIS Study SOURCE H below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE H: A SCENE FROM SIENER IN DIE SUBURBS [Source: Google Images] 4.1 Identify the TWO characters in SOURCE H. (2) 4.2 Suggest how the actors create the mood of the scene depicted in SOURCE H. (4) 4.3 Describe the set used in the play. (4) 4.4 Explain why the set is a suitable environment for a performance of the play. (4) 4.5 Motivate whether or not the costumes in SOURCE H are suitable for Siener in die Suburbs. (4) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 11 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 11 DBE/November 2023 NSC Study SOURCE I and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE I: AN EXTRACT FROM A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT SIENER IN DIE SUBURBS The play Siener in die Suburbs shows us characters struggling for personal freedom. They dare to dream and hope for a better life, even at a time when disappointment is a constant reality. 3 – Jay Cohen 4.6 Identify the genre/style of Siener in die Suburbs. (2) 4.7 Analyse how the genre/style identified in QUESTION 4.6 is reflected in Siener in die Suburbs. (6) 4.8 Explain how TWO of the female characters find a way to survive in their circumstances. (4) 4.9 Discuss how the play Siener in die Suburbs explores the themes of freedom, dreams and hopes through the characters and their situations and why they are still relevant to our society today. Refer to the THREE themes in your answer. (10) [40] TOTAL SECTION B: 40 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 12 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 12 DBE/November 2023 NSC 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 J below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE J: AN EMPTY THEATRE SPACE [Source: Google Images] Imagine you have been asked to direct Nothing But The Truth in the theatre depicted in SOURCE J above. 5.1 Identify the stage type depicted in SOURCE J. (2) 5.2 Inform your set designer what the set should look like for Nothing But The Truth. (2) 5.3 List the furniture and props required on the set. (6) 5.4 Make notes on how you might stage the opening moments of the play to engage the audience from the start. Refer to blocking, technical elements and the actor-audience relationship in your answer. (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 13 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 13 DBE/November 2023 NSC Study SOURCE K below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE K: TWO OF THE ACTORS YOU CAST IN NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH [Source: Google Images] 5.5 As director, provide the following character biographies for the actors cast in your production in SOURCE K:  The names of the characters they are playing  The family background of each character  The personality of each character  The characters in relation to each other in the play (8) 5.6 Describe the function of the following members of your production team:  Stage manager  Backstage crew  Technical team (6) 5.7 Write an article (paragraph) to advertise your production to a modern-day audience under the following heading: Nothing But The Truth: A MUST-SEE production! Discuss how the storyline and themes of the play might make this a 'must-see' production. (10) [40] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 14 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 14 DBE/November 2023 NSC QUESTION 6: GROUNDSWELL BY IAN BRUCE Study SOURCE L below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE L: AN EMPTY THEATRE SPACE [Source: Google Images] Imagine you have been asked to direct Groundswell in the theatre depicted in SOURCE L above. 6.1 Identify the stage type depicted in SOURCE L. (2) 6.2 Inform your set designer what the set should look like for Groundswell. (2) 6.3 List the furniture and props required on the set. (6) 6.4 Make notes on how you might stage the opening moments of the play to engage the audience from the start. Refer to blocking, technical elements and the actor-audience relationship in your answer. (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 15 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 15 DBE/November 2023 NSC Study SOURCE M below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE M: TWO OF THE ACTORS CAST IN YOUR PRODUCTION OF GROUNDSWELL [Source: Photo by Katarzyna Woranowicz] 6.5 As director, provide the following character biographies for the actors cast in your production in SOURCE M:  The names of the characters they are playing  The background of each character  The personality of each character  The characters in relation to each other in the play (8) 6.6 Describe the function of the following members of your production team:  Stage manager  Backstage crew  Technical team (6) 6.7 Write an article (paragraph) to advertise your production to a modern-day audience under the following heading: Groundswell: A MUST-SEE production! Discuss how the storyline and themes of the play might make this a 'must-see' production. (10) [40] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 16 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 16 DBE/November 2023 NSC QUESTION 7: MISSING BY REZA DE WET Study SOURCE N below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE N: AN EMPTY THEATRE SPACE [Source: Google Images] Imagine you have been asked to direct Missing in the theatre depicted in SOURCE N above. 7.1 Identify the stage type depicted in SOURCE N. (2) 7.2 Inform your set designer what the set should look like for Missing. (2) 7.3 List the furniture and props required on the set. (6) 7.4 Make notes on how you might stage the opening moments of the play to engage the audience from the start. Refer to blocking, technical elements and actor-audience relationship in your answer. (6) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 17 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 17 DBE/November 2023 NSC Study SOURCE O below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE O: TWO OF THE ACTORS CAST IN YOUR PRODUCTION OF MISSING [Source: A production of Missing by André Stolz] 7.5 As director, provide the following character biographies for the actors cast in your production in SOURCE O:  The names of the characters they are playing  The background of each character  The personality of each character  The characters in relation to each other in the play (8) 7.6 Describe the function of the following members of your production team:  Stage manager  Backstage crew  Technical team (6) 7.7 Write an article (paragraph) to advertise your production to a modern-day audience under the following heading: Missing: A MUST-SEE production! Discuss how the storyline and themes of the play might make this a 'must-see' production. (10) [40] TOTAL SECTION C: 40 Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 18 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 18 DBE/November 2023 NSC SECTION D: THE HISTORY OF THEATRE, PRACTICAL CONCEPTS, CONTENT AND SKILLS QUESTIONS 8 and 9 are COMPULSORY. QUESTION 8 Study SOURCE P below and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE P: AN IMPROVISED SCENE, USING POOR THEATRE, PHYSICAL THEATRE AND MIME IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL THEATRE PRODUCTION [Source: Horn of Sorrow, YouTube] 8.1 Write a paragraph about the history and style of Poor Theatre. Include information under the following subheadings:  Define Poor Theatre o Via Negativa o The Holy Actor o Actor exercises o Actor-audience relationship (10) 8.2 Define the following theatre terms: 8.2.1 Improvisation (2) 8.2.2 Mime (2) 8.2.3 Physical Theatre (2) 8.2.4 Performance space (2) 8.2.5 Environmental Theatre (2) [20] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 19 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Dramatic Arts 19 DBE/November 2023 NSC QUESTION 9 Study SOURCE Q and answer the questions that follow. SOURCE Q: THOUGHTS IN THE MIND OF A DRAMATIC ARTS LEARNER My self- confidence developed I like acting and … Time management is a challenge for Given me … circumstances [Source: Google Images and examiner's own text] 9.1 SOURCE Q is an example of the thoughts in the mind of a Dramatic Arts learner. Create a new sketch/image (a mind map/drawing/spider diagram/brief notes, etc.) with labels indicating your own thoughts about your own experience of Dramatic Arts. Make sure that you include TEN thoughts. (10) 9.2 Select THREE thoughts you indicated in your sketch in QUESTION 9.1. Discuss EACH of these THREE thoughts in detail to reflect on your experiences as a Dramatic Arts learner. 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