Theatre plays called 'one-act plays' are characterized by the fact that they unfold without interruption from beginning to end without any intermission. This format is often used for shorter plays that do not need to be divided into multiple acts.
A "one-act" play is a short theatrical piece performed in one go, without interruptions or pauses between scenes. Unlike classic plays in three or five acts, everything generally takes place in a single location, over a relatively limited duration of about 15 minutes to an hour. This format requires a condensed plot, centered around a unique situation, often based on a single event, a specific conflict, or a particular revelation. It is fast-paced, direct, with few characters and minimal set design, aimed at getting straight to the point.
One-act plays are a trend that emerges especially from the 18th century, during a time when the public begins to seek short, entertaining, and easy-to-consume works. The pace changes, and people become less patient with interminable multi-act plays. This becomes even more popular in the 19th century when more modest theaters appear, offering varied performances in a single evening. The one-act play then becomes ideal for these short, multiple performances, allowing for a greater variety of styles, authors, and subjects within the same program. It is also during this time that cabarets and small intimate venues emerge, perfect places for this type of quick and accessible format.
The one-act play must absolutely fit within a limited duration, which requires the playwright to go straight to the heart of the matter, without dragging things out. Forget complex subplots: everything must be effective, simple, and fast. The narrative structure is often condensed with a single main action, one location, and few characters, in order not to lose the audience along the way. The main challenge is to manage to captivate and convince the audience in a very short time, which demands precise and impactful writing. These constraints compel authors to create intense dramatic situations, incisive dialogues, and well-defined characters that are quickly identifiable.
A one-act play allows for getting straight to the point with a concise plot, very direct dialogues, and a narration that goes straight to the goal without beating around the bush. Easier to stage, it is particularly suited for small venues or festivals: no need for a large technical team or a complicated set, everything is lighter. Artistically, it also forces the playwright to find immediate effectiveness: well-defined characters, a clearly established atmosphere, and direct dramatic tension. It creates a real intensity, somewhat like a sprint: everything is focused on a single high point, without pauses or drops in pace. For the audience, it is often a fun and captivating experience, as you quickly dive into the heart of the matter, with no risk of losing interest along the way.
Some highly regarded plays are composed in a single act, such as The Bald Soprano by Eugène Ionesco. It is super famous for its absurd humor and wacky dialogues that reveal the absurdity of our everyday conversations. Another well-known example is No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre. There, you have three characters trapped in the same room, who gradually realize that they are in hell, hence the famous line “Hell is other people.” There is also The Lesson, another play by Ionesco, dark and surreal, centered around a learning session that turns into a nightmare. In a different comedic register, you have The Late Mother of Madame by Georges Feydeau, a little comic gem that plays on misunderstandings and miscommunications in just a few quick scenes. All these plays show that even with a single act, one can dive directly into the action and leave a memorable impact.
In the Victorian era, one-act plays were often performed as the opening act, serving as a 'curtain-raiser' before the main multi-act play, to captivate and warm up the audience.
Some contemporary festivals have fully specialized in one-act plays, appreciating their ability to showcase multiple works and different authors in a short amount of time.
Anton Chekhov, famous for his long plays such as "The Seagull" and "Three Sisters," also wrote several short one-act plays, like "The Bear" and "The Proposal," which are highly appreciated for their sharp humor.
One-act plays often serve as an excellent first project for young playwrights or directors, as their shorter format allows for experimentation and learning.
These short plays are particularly well-suited for theater festivals, educational workshops, student performances, or theater evenings featuring several short works.
Many authors, such as Anton Chekhov, Samuel Beckett, Eugène Ionesco, and Jean Cocteau, have distinguished themselves in writing remarkable one-act plays, thus contributing to the popularization of this short format in theater.
Yes. Although both are short, a one-act play usually has a complete structured plot with exposition, development, and resolution. A sketch, on the other hand, often focuses on a specific humorous situation without necessarily developing this complete narrative structure.
No. The concept of a one-act play explicitly refers to a play whose action continues without major changes in setting or interruption. Some short plays may be divided into several distinct acts or scenes, even if they are brief.
In general, a one-act play lasts between 15 minutes and an hour, depending on the complexity of the plot and the number of characters involved.
No one has answered this quiz yet, be the first!' :-)
Question 1/5
