OCR A Level Drama and Theatre H459/31 Analysing
Performance Combined Question paper & Marking
Scheme A+ June 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Monday 2 June 2025 – Morning
A Level Drama and Theatre
H459/31 Analysing Performance
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
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.
Turn over
, 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 2025 H459/31 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 use to make the
character likeable or dislikeable to the audience?
© OCR 2025 H459/31 Jun25 Turn over
Performance Combined Question paper & Marking
Scheme A+ June 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Monday 2 June 2025 – Morning
A Level Drama and Theatre
H459/31 Analysing Performance
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
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.
Turn over
, 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 2025 H459/31 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 use to make the
character likeable or dislikeable to the audience?
© OCR 2025 H459/31 Jun25 Turn over
