The terminologies genre, form, and style are fundamental concepts in drama and theatre studies and are frequently employed in the analysis, creation, and pedagogy of theatre. Their precise definitions can be somewhat fluid and are often interrelated, but they serve to categorise and describe theatrical works in distinct ways.
theatre Genre
The term genre refers to the categorisation of plays and performances based on their thematic content, narrative structure, and the emotional response they are intended to provoke in the audience. Genre conventions guide writers and audiences alike in setting and meeting expectations about the nature of a dramatic work.
In dramatic literature, genres are broadly characterised by their plot and the overarching mood. For instance, tragedy traditionally depicts human suffering, leading to catharsis, the emotional release felt by the audience. Comedy, on the other hand, aims to entertain and amuse, typically featuring a lighter tone and a happy resolution. There are numerous subgenres and hybrids, such as tragicomedy, which blend these elements in various proportions.
These categories are not just labels; they carry a set of conventions that inform the audience of the type of narrative they are about to experience and the intellectual and emotional engagement required. Theatre genres are often shaped by historical traditions and audience expectations, influenced by cultural shifts, often evolving over time.
Examples of Theatre Genres and Subgenres
Tragedy
Tragedy originated in ancient Greece and was considered the highest form of drama. Tragedy confronts the most serious and profound aspects of human existence. Sub-genres include Revenge Tragedy, which often contains elements of the supernatural and focuses on the protagonist’s moral dilemma about seeking vengeance, and Domestic Tragedy, which focuses on the downfall of an ordinary person, rather than nobility.
Comedy
Comedy also began in ancient Greece but was considered a lower form than tragedy. Through humour, it offers social critique and relief from the more severe aspects of life. Sub-genres include Satirical Comedy, which uses wit to criticise societal norms and behaviours, and Romantic Comedy, which centres around love, typically concluding with marriage or the promise of happiness.
Theatre Form
The “form” of a play or theatrical performance refers to the structural framework, organisation, and methods of storytelling employed by the playwright and performers. It is the framework or skeleton upon which a play is built, comprising the narrative’s architecture and how the story is told. This encompasses one-act plays, multi-act plays, monodramas, and epics, to name a few. Theatre form contains the script’s layout, including acts and scenes, as well as certain theatrical conventions such as monologues, dialogues, chorus, soliloquies, and asides.
Dramatic forms can range from linear narratives that follow a clear chronological progression, as seen in most conventional plays, to more experimental and non-linear structures that might feature flashbacks, parallel plots, or abstract sequences. Different cultural traditions have produced a variety of forms; for example, the classical Greek five-act structure, the tight one-act play, or the Japanese Noh play that combines poetry, dance, and music.
Examples of Theatre Forms and Narrative Structures
Linear Narrative
A linear narrative often includes a climactic structure that builds to a single climax followed by a resolution. Sometimes linear narratives include an episodic structure that comprises multiple scenes or episodes, not necessarily connected.
Non-linear Narrative
Non-linear narratives can involve plots that begin with the ending and move backwards in time as the story progresses. Alternatively, non-linear narratives can include a cyclical structure where the plot ends where it began, such as in Samuel Beckett’s Absurdist masterpiece Waiting for Godot.
Theatre Style
The “style” of a play or performance is concerned with the manner in which a story is told and presented on stage. It encompasses the use of language, directorial choices, design elements (such as set, costume, lighting, and sound), acting techniques, and the overall aesthetic approach.
Performance styles can reflect particular historical periods, such as the presentational acting mode of Elizabethan theatre or the minimalist aesthetic of many contemporary performances. Other stylistic movements include Naturalism, which strives for lifelike authenticity; Expressionism, which seeks to represent internal psychological states; and Surrealism, which aims to unlock the subconscious through illogical and fantastical sequences.
Stylistic choices are often heavily influenced by the prevailing philosophical, political, and artistic movements of the time, and can vary widely even within the same genre and form. For instance, a Shakespearean tragedy (genre) in the form of a five-act play can be presented in the style of a 19th-century Melodrama, or it could be reimagined in a modernist manner with abstract staging and unconventional acting techniques.
Examples of Theatre Styles and Production Approaches
Realism
Realism rose to prominence in the late 19th century as a reaction against melodrama and the artificiality of the theatre. This style involves detailed stage sets, naturalistic acting, and believable dialogue. It strives to create an illusion of reality, offering the audience relatable experiences.
Expressionism
Expressionism originated in Germany in the early 20th century and employs distorted and exaggerated costumes and sets. Expressionism offers an insight into the subjective experiences of its characters.
Naturalism
Naturalism involves a “slice of life” presentation with minute attention to detail in sets, props, and costumes. It evolved as an extreme form of realism in the late 19th century. Naturalism portrays life with scientific objectivity, often focusing on issues of heredity and environment.
Genre, form, and style are distinct but complementary concepts in theatre. Genre is a category of work that provides the audience with expectations about the type of content and emotional journey. Form is concerned with the structural approach to storytelling and the organisation of dramatic material. Style is focused on the execution and the aesthetic choices that give a performance its character and texture.