This update was first published on 3 March 2025. We can now confirm we're replacing three set texts from first teach September 2025 – 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.

To reflect this change, we are updating the specification and sample assessment material for A Level Drama and Theatre. We'll provide links to these here as soon as they are available.

We are also producing new teacher resources and guides for the new set texts, again, we'll let you know once these are 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

• Drama and Theatre - H059, H459 (from 2016)