Dynamic Physical Theatre

Lesson Overview

• Subject: Drama
• Year Group: Year 9
• Duration: 55 minutes
• Focus: Frantic Assembly & Physical Theatre
• Class Size: 20 students
• Curriculum Area: KS3 Drama – Physical Theatre & Devising
• Prior Learning: Students have experience with Chair Duets, Hymn Hands, and Round By Through

This lesson will build on students’ Frantic Assembly knowledge, pushing them to create dynamic, physically expressive performances that embody emotion, storytelling, and ensemble connection.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:
✅ Develop and refine their physical theatre skills using Frantic Assembly techniques
✅ Build confidence in devising movement-led performance sequences
✅ Explore how choreography and stillness can heighten storytelling and emotion
✅ Reflect critically on their work and recognise the impact of physical choices

Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up – Precision & Playfulness (10 mins)

A fast-paced, engaging start to energise and focus the class.

Activity: "Passing the Pulse" (5 mins)

• Standing in a circle, students pass a small impulse (clap, finger snap, toe tap) around.
• They must focus on timing, rhythm, and energy transfer.
• Challenge: Can students reverse direction, speed up, or change the impulse mid-way?

Activity: “Body Echo” (5 mins)

• Pairs face each other; one leads with a movement (shoulder roll, arm sweep, sudden stop), the other mirrors precisely.
• This builds ensemble awareness and sharpens physical responses.

🔹 Questioning:

• "What makes movement in physical theatre engaging to watch?"
• "How does precision affect storytelling in movement?"

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2. Development – Transforming Everyday Movements (15 mins)

Activity: “Everyday to Theatrical”

• Each student chooses a simple action (tying shoelaces, waving, drinking tea).
• They then:
  1. Expand it – exaggerate size and energy.
  2. Abstract it – strip it back to essence, focus on angles, repetition.
  3. Layer emotion – how does this movement express joy, fear, tension?

🌀 Challenge: Work in pairs to blend both movements into a seamless physical exchange.

🔹 Questioning:

• "How does altering a mundane movement make it feel more dramatic?"
• "How can we apply this to an ensemble performance?"

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3. Main Task – Heightened Physical Storytelling (20 mins)

Activity: “Tension and Discovery”

• Groups of 4-5 devise a 30-second sequence using the Frantic Assembly method.
• Rules:
  • Must include at least two contrasting motifs (fluid vs sharp, slow vs rapid).
  • Use Round By Through to transition between bodies.
  • Include one lift or weight-sharing moment.
• Groups experiment first, then refine into a polished piece.

🔎 Differentiation:

• Confident students lead creative problem-solving (e.g. unexpected pathways).
• Supportive pairs break down transitions slowly before adding speed.

🔹 Key Questioning:

• "How does physical risk-taking enhance tension in performance?"
• "What do we want an audience to feel just by watching this movement?"

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4. Perform & Reflect (10 mins)

• Each group performs their piece.
• After each performance, peers provide positive and constructive feedback with specific focus:

🎭 "Bravery, Clarity, Connection"

• Bravery: Was the group taking risks with movement?
• Clarity: Was the narrative/emotion clear without words?
• Connection: How well did the ensemble work together physically?

🎤 Exit Question: "If you could enhance one physical moment in your piece, what would it be and why?"

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Assessment Opportunities

• Teacher Observation: Focus on engagement, precision, and adaptability.
• Peer Feedback: Students articulate strengths & areas for growth.
• Self-Reflection: Students identify one way they improved their physical storytelling.

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Resources & Space Requirements

• Open space (minimal furniture to allow movement)
• Music or sound cues (to test rhythmic response if time allows)
• Visual prompt cards (emotion-based movement starters)

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Extension & Challenge

• High-ability students can introduce counterbalance & lifts.
• Encourage less confident students to lead short sections to build voice and movement leadership.
• Introduce disjointed vs fluid transitions for contrast.

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Final Thought 💡

This lesson prioritises bold, expressive movement, encouraging students to push the boundaries of physical theatre beyond the familiar. By exploring Frantic Assembly in new ways, students will realise their body’s storytelling power—no dialogue needed.

🎭 Let’s move and transform the space together! 🚀