Theatre Conventions & Performance Styles

Question 1

Burle

Answer 1

Definition: Comic banter or verbal game playing; ‘spin’
Related Performance Styles: Commedia del’Arte, stand-up comedy, clowning

Question 2

Burlesque

Answer 2

Definition: Any ludicrous take-off or debasing caricature, To burlesque …(a person) to create a mocking representation
Related Performance Styles: Greek &, Roman Comedy, cabaret, farce, satire, Absurd Theatre

Question 3

Caricature

Answer 3

Definition: Exaggeration of character that is often ludicrous or grotesque, using voice, gesture and movement
Related Performance Styles: Melodrama, Roman Comedy, Commedia dell’Arte, Story-telling, cartoons, Asian styles,

Question 4

Character Transformation

Answer 4

Definition: The actor plays more than one role, shifting from one to another without going off stage. Transformation is made using expressive skills, characterization, use of props and costume.
Related Performance Styles: Story-telling, Documentary Theatre, Realism.

Question 5

Psycho/ Social Characterization

Answer 5

Definition: Actor portrays an in-depth psychologically rounded character
Related Performance Styles: Naturalism & Realism

Question 6

Continuous Time Sequence

Answer 6

Definition: Dramatic structure follows a continuous time pattern, possibly using real time
Related Performance Styles: Naturalism, Realism

Question 7

Chorus

Answer 7

Definition: Use of a group in performance, to comment on the plot or action of a play, usually using heightened use of language, direct address, stylized and choreographed movement and tableau.
Related Performance Styles: Greek Drama, Medieval Drama, Epic Theatre,

Question 8

Disjointed Time Sequence

Answer 8

Definition: Dramatic structure that does not unfold chronologically. Past, present and future events are performed in a non-sequential order.
Related Performance Styles: Story-telling, Epic Theatre, modern Realism

Question 9

Direct Address

Answer 9

Definition: The actor speaks directly to the audience, either as their character or as the actor stepping out of character.
Related Performance Styles: Stand-up comedy, Epic Theatre (Brecht), circus, Realism, Greek Theatre

Question 10

Dramatic Metaphor

Answer 10

Definition: Heightened symbolic use of word, object or gesture beyond the literal meaning.
Related Performance Styles: ,Greek theatre, physical theatre, Symbolist Theatre, Total Theatre, Epic .

Question 11

Audience Endowment

Answer 11

Definition: The audience is constructed by the actor as a particular group of people, usually through direct address. E.g. audience as citizens of Vienna in Measure for Measure
Related Performance Styles: Elizabethan Theatre, Greek Theatre, Epic Theatre, story-telling, Stand-up comedy, cabaret, clowning, realism

Question 12

Documentary

Answer 12

Definition: Use of reported or researched fact to convey a particular set of views or ideas.
Related Performance Styles: Cabaret, Epic Theatre, Realism.

Question 13

Exaggerated Movement

Answer 13

Definition: Action that is deliberately overstated for a dramatic purpose, often for purposes of ridicule.
Related Performance Styles: Clowning, Commedia Dell’ Arte, Greek Theatre

Question 14

Fourth Wall

Answer 14

Definition: Often called ‘slice of life’, a style dependent on the life-like representation of every day life. No manipulation of time or space. Audience not recognized.
Related Performance Styles: Naturalism and Realism

Question 15

Heightened use of language

Answer 15

Definition: Poetic or exaggerated use of language. Includes choice of words whose syntax, alliteration and rhyming patterns lead to heightened delivery.
Related Performance Styles: Greek theatre, Epic Theatre various non-naturalistic

Question 16

Heightened use of movement

Answer 16

Definition: Ritualized, dance-like movement sequences either individually or in a group, often using repetition, symbolic gesture,
Related Performance Styles: Physical Theatre, Greek Theatre, Medieval Theatre ,Opera, Kabuki , Noh Drama, Asian performance styles, realism.

Question 17

Implied character

Answer 17

Definition: Actor creates a sense of another person being present or addressed
Related Performance Styles: Monologues, realism,

Question 18

Implied Space

Answer 18

Definition: Actor creates a sense of a particular environment through voice and action
Related Performance Styles: Monologues, Realism, Elizabethan Theatre, Story-telling, Epic theatre, Non-Naturalistic styles

Question 19

Lazzo/ Lazzi (pL)

Answer 19

Definition: A short comic routine based in a single ludicrous idea, often using sight gags, or slapstick.
Related Performance Styles: Commedia Dell’ Arte, other comedy.

Question 20

Lyrical

Answer 20

Definition: Use of verse, heightened song or movement, including the use of poetic imagery
Related Performance Styles: Greek Drama, Musicals. Opera. Asian performance styles, Elizabethan Theatre

Question 21

Mask

Answer 21

Definition: Use of false noses, half masks, or full masks, for purposes of caricature, stereo-type, abstraction, or ready identification with known characters.
Related Performance Styles: Clowning, Greek drama, Commedia dell’ Arte, Noh Drama, Kabuki, Other Asian performance styles

Question 22

Mime

Answer 22

Definition: Unvoiced physical performance implying object and space
Related Performance Styles: Realism and non-naturalistic

Question 23

Montage

Answer 23

Definition: Juxtaposition of dramatic images or vignettes often presented in rapid succession uses: introduction of ideas summary of characters/events/actions.
Related Performance Styles: Story-telling, visual theatre, epic theatre, other non-naturalistic styles.

Question 24

Narration

Answer 24

Definition: Direct address where plot elements are conveyed
Related Performance Styles: Story-telling, Epic Theatre, Stand-up, Realism

Question 25

Puppetry

Answer 25

Definition: Use of objects or puppets as characters
Related Performance Styles: Black Theatre, Visual Theatre, Shadow Puppetry, Bunraku, Object Theatre Asian styles

Question 26

Satire

Answer 26

Definition: Use of sarcasm, irony and ridicule in denouncing , exposing or deriding vice , folly and abuse.
Related Performance Styles: Cabaret, stand-up comedy, Farce, Clowning, Sit. Coms,

Question 27

Slapstick

Answer 27

Definition: Comedy technique using physical humour, often stage violence
Related Performance Styles: Clowning, Cabaret

Question 28

Stillness and Silence

Answer 28

Definition: Absence of sound or movement to enhance dramatic effect
Related Performance Styles: All Styles

Question 29

Soliloquy

Answer 29

Definition: Monologue addressed to self to argue an issue. Usually has a thesis/antithesis or argument structure
Related Performance Styles: Elizabethan Theatre, especially Shakespeare

Question 30

Song

Answer 30

Definition: Use of song to break up or comment upon a narrative or plot
Related Performance Styles: Opera, Musicals, Epic Theatre, Music Hall, Cabaret

Question 31

Stereotype

Answer 31

Definition: Characterization that uses highly recognizable simplistic or cliched character elements for dramatic purpose.
Related Performance Styles: Melodrama, Commedia Dell’ Arte, Agit Prop., Sketch comedy. Cartoons, Cabaret

Question 32

Transformation of Place

Answer 32

Definition: The actor creates more than one place or setting without the use of scenery. This may be achieved using transformation of props or through use of expressive skills.
Related Performance Styles: Story-telling

Question 33

Transformation of Object

Answer 33

Definition: A prop is used to represent more than one object
Related Performance Styles: Story-telling and design styles which require minimal set.

Question 34

Use of Symbol

Answer 34

Definition: Minimalist focus on objects to represent ideas
Related Performance Styles: Realism, & Non-naturalistic styles, Ritual Theatre,