32 predominate over plot and character. As defined by Saintsbury in Sinha,
1977:128 “is a dramatic entertainment in which plot, character and even, to a great extent dialogue, are subordinated on the one hand to
spectacular illustration , and on the other to musical accompaniment.” The masque has reached its glory in Jacobean period. The dramatic
writers such as Beaumont, Middleton and Chapman wrote masques. Johnson’s Masque of Blacknesse and Milton’s Comus also masques and
both were successful at that time.
3. Commedia dell’arte
Commedia dell’arte is a form of comic theatre which originated in Italy in the sixteenth century in which the dialogue was improvised around
a loose scenario calling for a set of stock characters, each with a distinctive costume and traditional name. Best known characters of this type such as
Zannis and Lazzis. Wilson, 1987:322
4. Morality Play
Morality play is one of the two basic types of medieval drama. Morality play is allegorical play in which both plot and character are used
to illustrate an abstract moral lesson. The examples of this play are Everyman and The Castle of Perseverance. Peck and Coyle, 1984:86
5. Miracle Play
Miracle play is one of the two basic types of medieval drama which deals with Christian history of mankind from the Creation to The
Last Judgment. An example of this play is The Crucifixion. Peck and Coyle, 1984:86
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6. Heroic Drama
Heroic drama is a form of serious drama that written in verse or elevated prose, featuring noble or heroic characters caught in extreme
situations or undertaking unusual adventures Wilson, 1987: 324. Generally, heroic drama is a term which is applied to the tragedies
of Restoration period seventeenth century. The feature of this form can be found such as in John Dryden’s All for love and Thomas Otway’s
Venice Preserved. 7.
Epic Drama Theatre
Epic drama or theatre is a form of drama which attempts to tackle the larger problems of modern history. This form is aimed at the intellect,
seeking to present evidence regarding social question in such a way that they may be objectively considered and an intelligent conclusion reached.
The chief advocator of this form is Bertolt Brecht and the example of this
form can be seen in his work Mother Courage 1941. 8.
Musical Theatre
Musical theatre is a term to point out a broad category which includes opera, operetta, musical comedy and other musical plays. This
form told the story through the performance of singing with instrumental
music, spoken dialogue, and often dance. 9.
Pantomime
Pantomime a form musical drama in which elements of dance, mime, puppetry, slapstick, and melodrama are combined to produce an
entertaining and comic theatrical performance. Pantomime genuinely is a
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34 Roman entertainment in which a narrative was sung by a chorus while the
story was acted out by the dancers. 10.
Black Comedy
Black comedy is a form of comedy that tests the boundaries of good taste and moral acceptability by juxtaposing morbid or ghastly
elements with comical ones. 11.
Poor Theatre
Poor theatre is a term coined by Jerzy Grotowski to describe his ideal of the theatre stripped to its barest essentials. The lavish sets, lights
and costumes generally associated with this theatre. Jerzy was insisted that if theatre is to become rich spiritually and aesthetically, it must first be
“poor” in everything that can distract from the actors relationship with the audience Wilson, 1987: 327.
12. Theatre of Fact
