Play_(theatre)

For other uses, see Play (theatre) (disambiguation).

A play or stageplay, written by a playwright, is a form of literature, almost always consisting of dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than reading. The term is often used in contrast to "musical," which refers to a play with singing.

Many people (especially scholars) read plays for pleasure, or study them in an academic manner. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed or read. So, the term "play" can refer to both the written works of playwrights and to their complete theatrical performance."Play": Dictionary.com website. Retrieved on January 3 2008.

Richard Monette, who has held the longest tenure of Artistic Director at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival (1994-2007), said that plays on the shelf are literature, whereas plays on the stage are theatre. Stratford Gold: 50 Years, 50 Stars, 50 Conversations, by Richard Ouzounian

See also

Lists

• List of basic theatre topics
• List of Canadian plays
• List of films based on stage plays or musicals
• List of plays made into feature films

Related topics

• Closet drama
• Drama
• Dramatis personæ
• Playwright
• Theatre
  • History of theatre
• Screenplay
• Musical Theatre

References

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