AQA A-level DRAMA AND THEATRE 7262/W Component 1

AQA A-level DRAMA AND THEATRE 7262/W Component 1 Act - ANSWER A unit or division of a play, each of which is composed of one or more scenes. Originally, Greek plays were continuous and the introduction of divisions was a later development. Plays today may divided into one, two, or three acts. Antagonist - ANSWER The opponent or adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama. Action - ANSWER The movement or development of the plot, or story in a play. Apron - ANSWER The area of the stage extending beyond the proscenium. Arena - ANSWER The area of a play's action in "theaters in the round", in which the audience sits surrounding the stage. Aside - ANSWER Sometimes referred to as breaking the proscenium or breaking the fourth wall, the term refers to a speech or comment made by an actor directly to the audience about the action of the play or another character. The audience is to understand that this comment is not heard or noticed by the other characters in the play. Auditorium - ANSWER Description of the area of a theater seating or accommodating the audience or people witnessing the production. The term, in its present meaning, first came into popular use in the early to mid 16th century. Backdrop - ANSWER In England, called the backcloth. A painted canvas or plain surface upon which light could be shown, it was flown or hung from the grid and, in combination with wings, was used to form a set on stage. Now generally replaced by the box set. Backstage - ANSWER The entire area behind or beyond the stage, including the dressing rooms. Sometimes includes the "wings", or sides of the stage area. Bard - ANSWER A person who composed and recited heroic or epic poems, often accompanied by lyre or harp. "The Bard" is now synonymous with William Shakespeare.