Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
An Indian state known for Kathakali and Kutiyattam, two traditional forms blending theatre, dance, and ritual.
A musical notation indicating the key of a piece, essential for singers and musicians to maintain correct pitch.
The Keystone Cops were a group of fictional, incompetently clumsy policemen who appeared in silent film comedies produced by Mack Sennett between 1912 and 1917. Their chaotic chases, frantic energy, and visual mishaps became iconic symbols of early Hollywood slapstick humor.
A humorous or dismissive slang term for a wife, found in Shakespeare’s works and indicative of period attitudes. The term reflects both social norms and wordplay in English Renaissance comedy and can offer insight into gender roles and characterization.
A plot device involving abduction, commonly used in thrillers or moral dramas to create suspense and urgency.
A stylized movement or performance act in traditional Indonesian theatre, showcasing skill, status, or transformation onstage.
A British theatrical movement from the 1950s–60s that depicted working-class life with gritty realism and domestic conflict.
The sound created during a stage combat slap or hit to simulate contact, typically produced safely by an actor’s own body or clothing.
A servant or deceitful man, often used in Shakespearean plays as a term of insult or social rank. This archetype is common in comedic and villainous roles in English Renaissance drama, revealing class tensions and dramatic contrasts.
Stage assistants in Kabuki theatre who are often dressed in black and support scene changes or assist actors during the performance.
A small, handheld drum used in Noh and Kabuki theatre, played on the shoulder to accompany music and emphasize movement.
A ceremonial dagger from Southeast Asia featured in traditional theatre, symbolizing spiritual power or conflict.