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Types of Plays Review
Let’s see if you remember the definitions of the other types of plays.
- Characteristics include unreal characters, dreams, and imaginary times and places. Most fantasies have a basis in reality, but are usually set in make-believe places and are often inhabited by beings or spirits with supernatural powers, gods from another world, witches, and/or flawless heroes.
Answer: Fantasy
- Theatre that revolves around characters who are involved in love affairs – flawless heroes and virtuous heroines who are ideally suited for each other. Generally, their path to love has its ups and downs, but eventually, all ends happily.
Answer: Romantic comedy
- This form of theatre lacks the humor needed to enjoy long-lived success. Sentimental comedy has been characterized as an emotional and ideal presentation of characters, a hero and heroine, who are so virtuous they seem unreal, and by villains who are so bad, they have no redeeming qualities. They are often described as having a lack of substance, flat characters, and contrived plots, and thus, are not very popular.
Answer: Sentimental comedy
- Presents a stale storyline in which an honorable heroine is threatened by a wicked villain, but is rescued by an immaculate hero; presents a clear-cut view of morality, in which the good characters are always seeking “right,” and the bad characters are always seeking “wrong.” Similar to tragedy in that the good characters usually suffer in some ways throughout the play, the good always triumphs in the end.
Answer: Melodrama
- Sometimes referred to as “problem play” or “social drama.” This type of play deals with a social problem, such as racism or sexism, in which common ideas concerning right and wrong are questioned. The playwright generally presents a solution to the problem and attempts to guide the characters in the right direction toward solving the problem.
Answer: Play of Ideas
- Serious plays, often penetrating and painful in which the playwright battles the complexities of the human psyche and personal relationships
Answer: Psychological Drama
- Involves a suspenseful play in which a crime has been committed and the plot of the play revolves around the solving of this crime.
Answer: Whodunit Play
- A play that teaches moral concepts through characters who personify abstract qualities and concepts, such as love, death, humanity, good, evil, truth, justice, etc.
Answer: Allegory
- A theatrical genre in which the story is told through the performance of singing (with instrumental music), spoken dialogue and often dance.
Answer: Musical Theatre
- theater that specializes in plays for families and young audiences. The story line is drawn from history, literature for children, folk and fairy tales or real life issues important to young people. A more accurate term is Theater for young audiences.
Answer: Children’s Theatre
- A form of theatre or performance that involves the manipulation of puppets. It is very ancient and is believed to have originated 3000 years BC.
Answer: Puppet Theatre
- A theatrical or operatic piece played by a single actor or actress/singer, usually portraying one character.
Answer: Monodrama
