Towards a theory of drama in education

the long version

Gavin Bolton writes about the learning that can take place as a direct result of dramatic activity. He outlines a form of drama which combines two modes often thought to be incompatible--child play and theatre. For worthwhile learning to take place, children's spontaneous activity should maintain the 'living through' qualities of playing, yet be focused by the teacher using the elements of theatre: contrast, tension, surprise and symbolisation.