Solo/Duo Musical Theatre
About the Solo/Duo Musical Theatre exam
Our Musical Theatre learners develop their acting skills through song. They use vocal techniques to convey the right mood, and engage with the material to form a thoughtful interpretation of the song.
As they progress through the grades, learners explore characterisation through monologues or duologues, which are performed in character and act as an introduction to their songs. They’ll also deepen their understanding of the history of musical theatre by performing songs from a range of eras, and by researching the work and influence of one of its composers or lyricists.
Learners can either take their Musical Theatre exams by themselves (solo) or with a fellow learner (duo).
Teaching the Solo/Duo Musical Theatre exam
Find Teacher Support Materials for this examination on our Download Centre.
LAMDA is recognised to award qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), in Wales by Qualifications Wales (QiW), and in Northern Ireland by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).
What does the exam involve?
Type of exam: Solo or Duo
Time allowance: Solo: 10 minutes, Duologue: 15 minutes
- Performing one song from memory (own choice)
- Answering questions about your performance
Please see the LAMDA Musical Theatre Solo/ Duo Graded Examinations Syllabus (2016) for full details.
Type of exam: Solo or Duo
Time allowance: Solo: 15 minutes, Duologue: 20 minutes
- Performing two contrasting songs from memory (own choice)
- Answering questions related to your performances
Please see the LAMDA Musical Theatre Solo/ Duo Graded Examinations Syllabus (2016) for full details.
Type of exam: Solo or Duo
Time allowance: Solo: 25 minutes, Duologue: 30 minutes
Performing from memory:
- Two contrasting songs (own choices)
- A short piece of published or devised text in character, leading naturally into each song
- Lyrics from a song as a spoken monologue (own choice)
- Answering questions related to their performances
Please see the LAMDA Musical Theatre Solo/ Duo Graded Examinations Syllabus (2016) for full details.
Type of exam: Solo or Duo
Time allowance:
Grade 6: Solo: 30 minutes, Duologue: 35 minutes
Grades 7 & 8: Solo: 35 minutes, Duologue: 40 minutes
- Three songs from memory with a short piece of text in character which leads naturally into each song
- Answering questions about your performance
Please see the syllabus for full details.
Resources & Teaching Materials
How to find the set pieces for each exam
The list of set pieces for each Exam can be found in the corresponding syllabi for each exam. You can download the syllabi as a free pdf via our Download Centre or visit our online shop.
We are unable to verify the suitability of own choice pieces, please refer to the Exam Content and Assessment and Grading Criteria detailed for the exam subject and grade entered.
What syllabi will I need for this exam?
All our syllabi listed below are available for free via download, or you can purchase our full range of publications from our online shop.
You will need:
- Musical Theatre Solo/Duo Graded Examinations Syllabus, with effect from 01 August 2021
These might also be useful:
- Teacher support material - graded examinations in Musical Theatre Solo/Duo (2021), available via Download Centre.
- Knowledge Matters Volume 3
- The new Musical Theatre Solo/Duo Syllabus came into effect from 1 August 2021
- Group Musical Theatre exams will be updated in 2024, along with the LAMDA Group Graded Examinations Syllabus
