New set texts for A Level Drama and Theatre
30 June 2026
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. On 7 October 2025, we published the updated specification and sample assessment material to reflect the set text changes. On 16 December 2025, we published three new teacher guides for the set texts on Teach Cambridge.
Since our last update about the new set texts, we have updated the component codes as detailed below. We've amended the specification (version 3.2) and sample assessment material to reflect this change.
For A Level Drama and Theatre – Deconstructing texts for performance, we are changing the set texts. This means the following new components will replace the existing components:
- H459/49: Nell Gwynn by Jessica Swale – replaces H459/42: Cloud Nine by Caryl Churchill
- H459/50: Lovesong by Abi Morgan – replaces H459/44: Stockholm by Bryony Lavery
- H459/51: Nine Night by Natasha Gordon – replaces H459/48: Woza Albert! by Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema and Barney Simon
These new components will be in place for first teach September 2025, with first assessment June 2027:
This means final A Level assessment will take place in June 2026 for:
- 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 3.2) from the qualification page on our website and Teach Cambridge.
The updated sample question papers 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.
New teacher guides
To support you, we've also published three new teacher guides for the set texts:
You can view and download these guides from the Teaching > Teaching delivery > Teaching and delivery guides section on Teach Cambridge.
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