Definition

Noun: A written work, typically in dialogue form, that is created to be performed by actors on a stage before an audience; a piece of dramatic literature intended for theatrical performance.

Usage

The term "dramatic play" refers specifically to the literary genre and the script itself. It is a formal term often used in academic, literary, or theatrical contexts to distinguish a work meant for performance from other forms of literature like novels or poems.

Examples

• She is studying the structure of a classic dramatic play.
• His latest dramatic play explores themes of social justice.
• Writing a successful dramatic play requires an understanding of both character and dialogue.

Advanced Usage

• "To stage a dramatic play": To produce and perform a play in a theater.
  • The local theater company will stage a new dramatic play next season.
• "The conventions of dramatic play": The established techniques and structures typical of plays, such as acts, scenes, and monologues.
  • The author cleverly subverted the traditional conventions of dramatic play.

Variants and Related Words

• Play (n): A more common and general synonym for "dramatic play."
• Stage play (n): Emphasizes that the work is intended for live theatrical performance, as opposed to a screenplay for film.
• Drama (n): Can be a synonym, but it is a broader term that can also refer to the genre as a whole or a dramatic situation.
• Theatrical work (n): A formal term for any piece created for the theater.

Synonyms

• Stage play
• Drama
• Theatrical piece
• Script (when referring to the written text)

Related Phrases

• One-act play: A short play consisting of only one act.
• Full-length play: A standard play with multiple acts, typically intended for an evening's performance.

Noun

1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
   • he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway