Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

About: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama is a education organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Political theatre & Queer. The organization has 57 authors who have published 94 publications receiving 332 citations. The organization is also known as: CSSD & The Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art.

Sites of Appearance, Matters of Thought: Hannah Arendt and Performance Philosophy

Abstract: This editorial introduces this special issue on the thresholds, borders, and dialogues between Hannah Arendt’s work and performance philosophy, bringing together contributions that investigate political resistance, thought, and practice. Arendt’s relevance to our times is ubiquitous: from the near constant citation of The Origins of Totalitarianism in relation to the recent rise in strong-man politics and resurgent ethnic nationalism, to her diagnosis of the plight of refugees, denied even the rights belonging to those that have broken the law, but instead placed outside the law. Contemporary political philosophy also bears numerous influences, in the thinking of Mouffe, Ranciere, Nancy, Agamben, Brown, Butler, and more. For performance philosophy, we might engage with Arendt’s performative notion of politics itself, as exemplified in her idea of ‘spaces of appearance’, but also the performativity of thought, as well as the implications of Arendt’s work for phenomenology, governmentality, rights, and ecology. Contributors to this special issue also think through the relevance of Arendt’s work for an anti-colonial and anti-racist political praxis, and for post and non-human political ethics, judgment, and thinking.

Composing for Voice: Exploring Voice, Language and Music

Abstract: Composing for Voice: Exploring Voice, Language and Music, Second Edition, elucidates how language and music function together from the perspectives of composers, singers and actors, providing an understanding of the complex functions of the voice pedagogically, musicologically and dramatically. Composing for Voice examines the voice across a wide range of musical genres (including pop, jazz, folk, classical, opera and the musical) and explores the fusion of language and music that is unique to song. This second edition is enlarged to attract a wider readership amongst all music and theatre professionals and educators, whilst also engaging an international audience with the introduction of new co-author Maria Huesca. New to the second edition: A review of the history of singing An overview of the development of melisma A chapter designed to help performers understand each other, as singers and actors often receive disparate educations Case studies and qualitative research around song, lyric and meaning A discussion of the synthetic voice An introduction to the concept of embodied composition Interviews with composers and singers Summaries of various vocal styles, including bel canto, the lyric voice, the belt voice, the rap voice, the dramatic voice, the virtuoso voice, the folk voice, the crooner, the live voice and the actor’s voice A website with many of the links and performances of music discussed, as well as related workshops and seminars: www.composingforvoice.com Composing for Voice: Exploring Voice, Language and Music, Second Edition, articulates possibilities for the practical exploration of language, music and voice by composers, singers and actors

Controversial Intentions: Adaptation as an Act of Iconoclasm in Rupert Goold and Ben Power’s Faustus (2004) and the Chapman Brothers’ Insult to Injury (2003)'

Abstract: In this chapter I intend to analyse the approach to adaptation that Goold and Power developed through their work on a free adaptation of Christopher’s Dr. Faustus, which combined Marlowe’s original text with a contemporary narrative featuring the visual artists the Chapman Brothers and their controversial rectification of a set of Goya’s Disasters of War etchings for their 2003 series Insult to Injury.

Normative Values for Adolescent Quality of Life in Plastic Surgery: A Longitudinal, Cohort Study

Abstract: Adolescence is a challenging time, and an increasing number of young people are seeking plastic surgery. With the rise of health-related quality of life studies in plastic surgery, it is critical to understand the natural variation and changes in health-related quality of life for this population.In this longitudinal, cohort study validated surveys were administered to cisgender participants aged 12-21 years: Short-Form 36v2, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Breast-Related Symptoms Questionnaire, and Eating-Attitudes Test-26. Surveys were administered at baseline and up to 9 years follow-up. At the time of enrollment, participants were in a current state of good health with no considerable past or current medical, surgical, or psychological history.A total of 149 female and 75 male participants were included, with a median (interquartile range) baseline age of 16.0 (4.4) years and follow-up time of 3.3 (4.1) years. Over the study period, girls who were not overweight or obese experienced significant declines in five SF-36 domains (general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health) and on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Breast-Related Symptoms Questionnaire, and Eating-Attitudes Test-26 (P < 0.05). In contrast, boys' and overweight/obese girls' health-related quality of life largely remained stable (P > 0.05).Adolescence is a challenging time, on which plastic surgery-related concerns are superimposed. Our findings suggest that girls may be more at risk for developing psychosocial deficits that worsen over adolescence and young adulthood. This observation is critical for the interpretation and contextualization of health-related quality of life in adolescent plastic surgery patients.

P53 Sex, body image and relationships: young people with cancer information and support preferences

Abstract: Aims Adolescents and young adults (AYA) diagnosed with cancer, broadly those aged 16-29, are known to have distinctive psychosocial and medical needs related to age and transitioning through significant life milestones at the time of diagnosis/treatment. Forming a sexual identity is a key developmental task during this phase, thus understanding the factors that enable the information needs of AYA to be appropriately identified and met is critical. This study expands on previous findings that AYA exhibited significant unmet needs around information provision on sex, body image, and relationships and aims to explore information and support preferences regarding where, how, and from whom AYA want to receive this information. Methods Four young people aged 24-26 years, with a previous cancer diagnosis at age 14-23 years attended an in-depth four-hour workshop. Participatory activities were employed to identify the questions young people had; their support/information preferences; and, their definition of intimacy. The framework approach was used to analyse workshop transcripts. Results Young people’s preferences of information/support provision varied. They wanted trusted sources of information and while some preferred to have face-to-face discussions with healthcare professionals, others felt embarrassed and would prefer an online platform. All acknowledged that listening to peers with cancer talk about sexuality and relationships would ‘normalise’ their questions. Feeling embarrassed (professionals and young people) was a barrier to an open discussion about their needs. Triggers for information and support included: partners (pressures/expectations); lack of sexual drive (managing side effects); body image concerns (weight gain/loss); physical constraints; and fertility concerns. Young people wanted access to information tailored to their needs. Conclusion Findings from this study show cancer-specific sex, relationship and body image issues faced by AYA and provide important direction to the development of interventions – a balance between professional and peer support is needed. Sexual health is a key element of wellbeing and a failure to address it may place AYA at risk for long-term consequences related to sexual, identity and relationships development. This study highlights the importance of conversations relating to sexual consequences of illness and age-appropriate assessment and interventions in other contexts where disease may disrupt young people’s development.