Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
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.
An elegant, classical form of Chinese opera known for refined movement, poetic text, and musical beauty, dating back to the Ming Dynasty.
A Japanese comic theatre form performed as interludes between Noh plays, often satirical and based on everyday life.
A political party featured in British theatre to represent working-class struggles, socialism, and reform.