What is the Difference Between Drama and Theatre?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between drama and theatre lies in their definitions and the aspects they cover. Here are the key distinctions:
- Drama: Drama refers to the printed text of a play or the script. It is a branch of theater based on the representation of a story full of human emotions and conflicts, and it can be in the form of a text, prose, or verse composition. Drama can also refer to an episode of life or fiction that involves emotion or conflict.
- Theatre: Theatre, on the other hand, is the onstage production of a play. It encompasses the overall spectacle of the drama, including how a drama is staged, showcased, and performed. Theatre involves the use of a stage, individuals who play characters, and people who see the act (audience). It also includes additional activities besides acting, such as set design, lighting, directing, hair and make-up, etc.
In summary, drama is the written text or script of a play, while theatre is the onstage production that brings the drama to life, involving actors, directors, set designers, and other elements.
Comparative Table: Drama vs Theatre
Here is a table outlining the differences between drama and theatre:
| Feature | Drama | Theatre |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Drama refers to a composition in prose or verse that delineates a story full of human emotions and conflicts. | Theatre is the personification of a drama on stage, requiring a space, actors, and an audience. |
| Form | Drama can be in the form of a text, prose, or verse. | Theatre is a physical performance that takes place on a stage. |
| Genre | Drama is one of the genres of theatre, along with comedy, tragedy, and action. | Theatre encompasses various genres, including drama. |
| Audience | Drama can be abstract and subjective, while theatre is physical and requires an audience. | Theatre requires a stage and an audience. |
| Performance | Drama needs to be performed by actors on stage to become theatre. | Actors perform the roles of the characters in a drama on stage. |
In summary, drama is a composition that tells a story with human emotions and conflicts, while theatre is the physical performance of a drama on stage, requiring actors and an audience.
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