LAMDA Grade 5 Student Friendly Guidance Booklet

The LAMDA Musical Theatre Grade 5 Booklet is a structured exam-preparation resource for learners taking the Level 2 Grade 5 Solo or Duo Musical Theatre examination. It builds on Grade 4 skills by encouraging greater independence, clearer artistic choices, and more confident use of musical theatre terminology, while still providing clear, supportive guidance.

The resource is organised into the following key areas:

Exam overview – explains the purpose of the exam, performance format, timings, and regulations, including guidance on accompaniment, costume, props, and effective use of the performance space.

• Knowledge section – prepares learners to answer examiner questions on:
• Character feelings and reactions
• How spoken dialogue was selected or devised
• Key themes and plot of the musical
• Reasons for chosen staging, using correct stage-area terminology
• Core technical musical theatre terms (such as tempo, crescendo, harmony, unison, and overture)

Song selection guidance – outlines how to choose two contrasting sung songs and one spoken song from published musicals or film musicals, encouraging variety in character, mood, and interpretation.

Spoken song guidance – supports learners in performing song lyrics as a spoken dramatic monologue or duologue, focusing on storytelling, clarity, and believable delivery without melody.

Repertoire suggestions – offers extensive lists of suitable musicals and song examples, organised by era and vocal type, to help learners select appropriate and engaging material.

Spoken dialogue guidance – provides step-by-step advice on creating or selecting short spoken dialogue to introduce songs, helping learners establish character motivation, emotional context, and a clear transition into singing.

Checklists and notes pages – support rehearsal planning, revision of knowledge questions, and overall exam readiness.

Overall, the Grade 5 booklet acts as a practical workbook and revision guide, supporting learners in developing stronger characterisation, clearer staging choices, and a deeper understanding of how acting, singing, and storytelling work together in musical theatre performance.