Performance Style Flashcards
Comedy
A performance where there is a happy ending, with the intention of amusing and entertaining the audience.
Epic theatre
Features of Epic Theatre include episodic scenes, a lack of tension, breaking the theatrical illusion through devices such as direct audience address, use of songs,
projections and narration.
Expressionism
A term for theatre design and performance style which places greater value on emotion than realism. The trademark Expressionist effects were often achieved through distortion.
Forum theatre
In this process the actors or audience members could stop a performance, often a short scene in which a character was being oppressed in some way. The audience would suggest different actions for the actors to carry out on stage in an attempt to change the outcome of what they were seeing.
Immersive theatre
Theatre in which the audience is part of the action. The performers will interact and guide the audience around a site or space or the audience may be free to wander and discover scenes. These plays are often SITE SPECIFIC.
Melodrama
A Melodrama is a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and/or characters in order to appeal to the emotions.
Meta theatre
Theatre about theatre itself, drawing the audience away from the notion of realism in theatre. Can also describe a play within a play.
Naturalism/naturalistic
A performance that attempts to replicate nature and present events and characters on stage as in real life. Naturalism attempts to hold up a mirror to nature and give the illusion of characters as actual people in real-life situations using everyday language.
Physical theatre
Performances which incorporate dance elements into a dramatic theatre performance.
Realism
Realism in theatre describes a decision by the creative team to present the audience with an accurate depiction of the real world, rather than a stylised interpretation.
Style
Style refers to the way the actors perform, the visual characteristics of the setting and costumes, and the choice of conventions used.
Stylised
Stylisation is the conscious process of emphasising and often exaggerating elements of the design or characteristics of a role.
Symbolism/symbolic
Using symbols to suggest and communicate meaning to the audience.
Theatre In Education
Often abbreviated to T.I.E. The use of theatrical techniques to educate, covering social issues or topics on the school’s syllabus.
