New set texts for A Level Drama and Theatre
07 October 2025
This update was first published on 3 March 2025. On 6 June 2025, we confirmed we're replacing three set texts from first teach September 2025. We have now published the updated specification and sample assessment material to reflect the set text changes – see below for details.
For A Level Drama and Theatre (H459), we are replacing three set texts for Components 41–48: Deconstructing texts for performance.
The following set texts will be in place for first teach September 2025, with first assessment June 2027:
- H459/42: Nell Gwynn by Jessica Swale to replace Cloud Nine by Caryl Churchill
- H459/44: Lovesong by Abi Morgan to replace Stockholm by Bryony Lavery
- H459/48: Nine Night by Natasha Gordon to replace Woza Albert! by Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema and Barney Simon
This means final A Level assessment will take place in June 2026 for the following set texts:
- Cloud Nine by Caryl Churchill
- Stockholm by Bryony Lavery
- Woza Albert! by Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema and Barney Simon
At this point, we'll remove these texts from our approved list of teaching material.
Updated specification and sample assessment material
To reflect these set text changes, we have updated the specification and sample assessment material for A Level Drama and Theatre.
You can view and download the updated specification (version 3.0) from the qualification page on our website and Teach Cambridge.
The updated sample question papers for components 42, 44 and 48 are available from the Assessment > Sample assessment materials section of the qualification page on our website, and from the Assessment > Exams > Sample assessment materials area on Teach Cambridge.
We are also producing new teacher resources and guides for the new set texts. We will provide links to these here as soon as they're available.
If you have any queries about this update, please call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998, or email us at drama@ocr.org.uk.
Qualification