The study questions act as guides to the texts and writers on the Page and Stage syllabus. The questions are not like quiz or exam. questions which you answer with a 'right' or 'wrong' answer. We want you to use them to explore the texts, to jump-start your own original close readings. Sometimes, therefore, we'll also include notes on the writer(s), or on performance or critical analysis. Try to read the questions/notes before you investigate the text. Then use them as a reference as you read.

If close reading is new to you, or you find detailed analysis of what is said and how it is said difficult, we suggest that you stick closely to the study questions. Attempt to write a paragraph in response to each. If you enjoy close, critical analysis of texts, then you can write around, against or with the questions.

The questions inevitably highlight ideas we think important (and might thus be a good general guide to Monday quiz questions!). But we hope the questions will stimulate new discoveries, too. Use the techniques suggested in Writing About Theatre to uncover and record your ideas. And keep all your responses, interpretations, digressions and experiments in your journal to build a permanent map of your personal encounter with each text.