Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
An old English word meaning 'why,' famously used in Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet' to express inquiry, not location.
A weather condition of reduced visibility, symbolically used in drama to convey disorientation or psychological fog.
A mystery plot where the audience follows clues to identify the perpetrator, often used in suspenseful or comedic theatre.
A musical note held for four beats in common time, used in vocal and instrumental parts of theatrical scores.
A man who has lost his spouse, used in plays to portray grief, recovery, and the complexity of love and memory.
Relating to Oscar Wilde’s distinctive wit, satire, and social commentary found in his dramatic and literary works.
In drama, 'will' can refer to a character’s inner drive or determination. Also used in poetic or archaic language as 'shall.'
British monarchs whose reign saw political and cultural shifts that affected Restoration and early 18th-century theatre.
An old second-person singular form of 'will' or 'do,' common in Shakespearean dialogue to express intention or desire.
Areas offstage to the left and right, hidden from the audience, where actors wait and scenery is stored during a performance.
Wit in theatre refers to the quick, clever use of language to create humor or reveal deeper truths about characters and situations. It often relies on sharp wordplay, irony, or unexpected turns of phrase to keep audiences engaged. Wit is commonly found in comedies and serves both to entertain and to highlight human flaws in a lighthearted way.
The craft of building sets and props using wood, a foundational skill in scenic construction for theatre.