Oxford Cambridge and RSA - 2025
Monday 2 June 2025 – Morning
A Level Drama and Theatre
H459/31 Analysing Performance
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
(Verified Question Paper With Mark
Scheme Combined June 2025)
, INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question
numbers must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer two questions on the theme you have studied in Section A and the
question in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of written communication will be assessed in questions
marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025
OCR is an exempt
[601/8272/6] DC (CE)
Charity Turn over
350521/2
, 2
Section A
Answer both questions on one theme in this section.
Theme 1: Conflict
Use one performance text in your answer to each
question. Use a different performance text for each
question.
Write the name of the performance text you have studied at the start of each answer.
Black Watch – Gregory Burke
Hamlet – William
Shakespeare Necessary
Targets – Eve Ensler
Oh! What a Lovely War – Joan Littlewood
The Long and the Short and the Tall – Willis Hall
1 Select a character from the play you have studied. As an actor, how would you vary
your pacing to show conflicts in that character’s mind?
Refer to at least three scenes to support your answer. [15]
AND
2 As a set designer, how would you create opportunities for the actors to bring out
conflicts in the drama in the play you have studied?
Refer to the opening scenes to support your answer. [15]
© OCR H459/31
2025 Jun25
, 3
Theme 2: Family Dynamics
Use one performance text in your answer to each
question. Use a different performance text for each
question.
Write the name of the performance text you have studied at the start of each answer.
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg – Peter Nichols
King Lear – William Shakespeare
Live Like Pigs – John Arden
The Caucasian Chalk Circle – Bertolt Brecht
The House of Bernarda Alba – Federico García Lorca
3 As a director, how would you balance the tensions between characters in the opening
scene or scenes of the play you have studied? [15]
AND
4 Select a character from the play you have studied. As an actor, how would you
perform this role to help build dramatic tension within the family?
Refer to at least three scenes to support your answer. [15]
Theme 3: Heroes and Villains
Use one performance text in your answer to each
question. Use a different performance text for each
question.
Write the name of the performance text you have studied at the start of each answer.
Amadeus – Peter Shaffer
Caligula – Albert Camus
Frankenstein – Nick Dear
Othello – William
Shakespeare
The Love of the Nightingale – Timberlake Wertenbaker
5 What design elements would you use to create a sinister atmosphere in the opening
scenes of the play you have studied? [15]
AND
6 As an actor playing a character with villainous qualities, what acting skills would you
© OCR H459/31 Turn over
2025 Jun25
Monday 2 June 2025 – Morning
A Level Drama and Theatre
H459/31 Analysing Performance
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
(Verified Question Paper With Mark
Scheme Combined June 2025)
, INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question
numbers must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer two questions on the theme you have studied in Section A and the
question in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of written communication will be assessed in questions
marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025
OCR is an exempt
[601/8272/6] DC (CE)
Charity Turn over
350521/2
, 2
Section A
Answer both questions on one theme in this section.
Theme 1: Conflict
Use one performance text in your answer to each
question. Use a different performance text for each
question.
Write the name of the performance text you have studied at the start of each answer.
Black Watch – Gregory Burke
Hamlet – William
Shakespeare Necessary
Targets – Eve Ensler
Oh! What a Lovely War – Joan Littlewood
The Long and the Short and the Tall – Willis Hall
1 Select a character from the play you have studied. As an actor, how would you vary
your pacing to show conflicts in that character’s mind?
Refer to at least three scenes to support your answer. [15]
AND
2 As a set designer, how would you create opportunities for the actors to bring out
conflicts in the drama in the play you have studied?
Refer to the opening scenes to support your answer. [15]
© OCR H459/31
2025 Jun25
, 3
Theme 2: Family Dynamics
Use one performance text in your answer to each
question. Use a different performance text for each
question.
Write the name of the performance text you have studied at the start of each answer.
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg – Peter Nichols
King Lear – William Shakespeare
Live Like Pigs – John Arden
The Caucasian Chalk Circle – Bertolt Brecht
The House of Bernarda Alba – Federico García Lorca
3 As a director, how would you balance the tensions between characters in the opening
scene or scenes of the play you have studied? [15]
AND
4 Select a character from the play you have studied. As an actor, how would you
perform this role to help build dramatic tension within the family?
Refer to at least three scenes to support your answer. [15]
Theme 3: Heroes and Villains
Use one performance text in your answer to each
question. Use a different performance text for each
question.
Write the name of the performance text you have studied at the start of each answer.
Amadeus – Peter Shaffer
Caligula – Albert Camus
Frankenstein – Nick Dear
Othello – William
Shakespeare
The Love of the Nightingale – Timberlake Wertenbaker
5 What design elements would you use to create a sinister atmosphere in the opening
scenes of the play you have studied? [15]
AND
6 As an actor playing a character with villainous qualities, what acting skills would you
© OCR H459/31 Turn over
2025 Jun25
