Types and forms of Drama

Types of Drama

There are two basic types of drama namely:

1. Scripted
2. Non-scripted.

Scripted drama means a written play while non-scripted means an unwritten play.

Forms of Drama

1. Comedy
2. Tragedy
3. Mask Drama
4. Dance Drama
5. Musical Drama (Opera)
6. Dramatized Drama
7. Mime

Comedy

This is a drama that is funny and humorous. Examples are “the new Masquerade”, Papa Ajasco” and “osofia in london” .

Tragedy

This is the opposite of comedy. This is a serious drama (play) with a sad theme. It involves a heroic struggle that ends sadly. Good examples are: dramatized versions of ‘Things fall apart’ by Chinua Achebe and “The gods are not to blame” by Ola Rotimi.

Mask Drama

This refers to a drama where all the actors and actresses perform in masking tradition. Example is “the lion king’, a popular cartoon series which is the theatre version of the work.

Dance Drama

Refer to a drama in which the actors and actresses perform or convey their messages in a dancing manner.

Dramatized Folktales

This refers to folktales (stories from old traditional people) being dramatized so as to convey messages to the society. Some examples of folktales which are dramatized are lullabic songs for babies to sleep. An example in Igbo: “Nwanta rah ura, rah aura kannegilota….” (Baby sleep, sleep your mother will soon come back.)

YORUBA LULLABY

Omo mi, ma sunkun mo

Se bi mo ti be o leekan

Se be mi ni mama re

Omo mi ma sunkun mo. (My child weep no more, mother beg you, weep no more.)

Musical Drama (Opera)

Refers to the use of musical songs to dramatize activities or events or situations. Sometimes, instruments accompany the singing.

Mime

Refers to the use of gestures and actions to perform. It is a style of performance in which people act out situations or portray characters using only gestures, facial expressions and actions.

The Director

The director is basically the chief designer of dramatic performances. The director must concern himself with the following:

1. The length of the play
2. The message in the play
3. The actor’s understanding of the play and
4. His own understanding of the play.

Duties of the Play Directors

1. He is the boss of the theatre.
2. He coordinates all the other aspects of production.
3. He casts and rehearses the actors by blocking and guiding their movements.
4. He interprets the scripts and put a life drama on stage.
5. He coordinates the work and art of every other person and makes everything blend for the production.
6. He is responsible for the production seen on stage, etc.

EVALUATION

1. Name all the forms of drama
2. List the two basic type of drama.
3. Identify five elements of drama
4. Explain two basic types of drama.
5. Explain scripted and non-scripted drama.
6. Imitate the principal of your school when he is angry.
7. Describe a politician/educator you know by imitation (i.e imitate the person).