GCSE Glossary

For the following questions, please select the correct definition of the key term:

ensemble

• the energetic range of or variations within physical movement or the difference between levels of sound

• an extreme form of comedy that depends on quick tempo and

  flawless timing and is characterized by improbable events and

  far fetched coincidences; from the French meaning ‘to stuff.’

• the dynamic interaction and harmonious blending of the efforts of the many artists involved in the dramatic activity of theatrical

  production.

• a category or 'type' given to plays that include a particular form,

  content or technique, based upon the conventions used e.g.

  tragedy, comedy, farce, and melodrama.

genre

• a category or 'type' given to plays that include a particular form,

  content or technique, based upon the conventions used e.g.

  tragedy, comedy, farce, and melodrama.

• a category or 'type' given to plays that include a particular form,

  content or technique, based upon the conventions used e.g.

  tragedy, comedy, farce, and melodrama.

• the events of a play or arrangement of action, as opposed to the theme.

• Traditional audience seating layout where the audience is looking at the stage from the same direction.

exposition

• the tone or feeling of the play, often engendered by the music,

  setting, or lighting.

• an implied discrepancy between what is said and what is meant.

• any type of theatrical production designed to be performed at a

  unique, specially adapted location other than a standard theatre.

• the part of a play that introduces the theme, chief characters, and current circumstances.

stylisation

• a play in which sarcasm, irony, and ridicule are used to expose or attack folly or pretension in society.

• the shaping of dramatic material, settings, or costumes in a

  deliberately non-realistic manner.

• the use of symbolic language, imagery, or colour to evoke

  emotions or ideas.

• the art of creating performance environments using one or more

  components including light, costume, set , space and sound.

satire

• a stage that extends into the audience area, with seats on three sides of a peninsula-shaped acting space.

• form of staging where the audience is on either side of the acting area.

• a play in which sarcasm, irony, and ridicule are used to expose or attack folly or pretension in society.

• a feeling of uncertainty as to the outcome, used to build interest and excitement on the part of the audience.

turning point

• the use of symbolic language, imagery, or colour to evoke

  emotions or ideas.

• the plot or plan of action.

• how the problem or conflict in a drama is solved or concluded.

• the climax or high point of a story, when events can go either

  way.

sightlines

• a prescribed form or ceremony; drama grew out of religious ritual.

• imaginary lines of sight that determine what areas of the stage

  are visible to the audience from any given seat in the house.

• how the problem or conflict in a drama is solved or concluded.

• the art of creating performance environments using one or more

  components including light, costume, set , space and sound.

scenography

• the art of creating performance environments using one or more

  components including light, costume, set , space and sound.

• when and where the action of a play takes place

• a defined area

• offstage areas to the right and left of the acting/onstage area.

naturalism

• the organisation or building of the action in a play.

• the actions of characters tend to be dominated by

  determinism (societal or environmental forces).

• a theatrical production with the expectation that audience members will predominantly walk or move about (rather than sit)

• the decisions made when presenting a play in performance,

  influenced by the social, historical and cultural context and artistic choices of the creative team.

Realism

• elements of the production that can be used/moved but cannot be defined as personal props e.g. chair, table.

• a style of drama that developed in the late 19th century as an

  attempt to represent real life on stage faithfully and without

  artifice; the actions of characters tend to be dominated by

  determinism (societal or environmental forces).

• how the problem or conflict in a drama is solved or concluded.

• an attempt in theatre to represent everyday life and people as

  they are or appear to be through careful attention to detail in

  character motivation, costume, setting, and dialogue.