Every script is born out of a specific time and place. The context of the period in which the script is set refers to the historical, cultural, social, and political conditions that shaped both the play’s creation and its fictional world. Understanding these contexts is foundational to any meaningful interpretation.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Context is not background decoration — it is the soil from which character behaviour, conflict, and meaning grow. Interpret context to interpret the script.
| Context Type | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Historical | What events were occurring? What was everyday life like? |
| Cultural | What were the dominant values, beliefs, and customs? |
| Social | How were people stratified? What were gender/class expectations? |
| Political | Who held power? What ideologies were in conflict? |
| Theatrical | What conventions and styles were common at the time? |
Recontextualisation means deliberately relocating a script — in time, place, or cultural setting — to create new layers of meaning while maintaining the essential integrity of the original text.
For example:
- A Greek tragedy set in a contemporary corporate boardroom
- A 1950s domestic drama relocated to a present-day suburban setting
- A Shakespeare comedy reframed within a specific migrant community
Recontextualisation is a legitimate and sophisticated dramaturgical strategy. It must be purposeful: the new context should illuminate the text’s themes rather than distort or contradict them.
EXAM TIP: When justifying recontextualisation, explain why the new context deepens or clarifies the play’s meaning — not just what you changed. The rationale is as important as the choice.
Different production roles engage with recontextualisation in specific ways:
A successful recontextualisation:
- Retains the core dramatic tensions and themes of the original
- Uses the new context to offer a fresh or deepened perspective
- Is consistently applied across all production elements
- Is clearly justifiable through dramaturgical research
COMMON MISTAKE: Recontextualising without fully understanding the original context first. You cannot meaningfully relocate what you do not understand.
VCAA uses the phrase “possible recontextualisations” — note the word possible. You are exploring options, evaluating their feasibility and value, and selecting one that best serves your interpretation. This is a decision-making process, not a random relocation.
VCAA FOCUS: Examiners want evidence that you have considered multiple contextual possibilities and made a reasoned choice. Show your thinking, not just your conclusion.
