Playwriting - Part 6G - The Working Process, The Style of Your Play

lays have two styles, representational and presentational. It is important to know that it is likely that no play is fully representational and no play is fully presentational. However, plays will fall mainly into one of the categories.

In a representational play, the play aims to represent real life. The characters may not be real, but they will most likely seem realistic. The setting should also seem realistic, or at least realistic for what it is supposed to be. Each actor usually plays only one character. If an actor happens to play more than one character, they are not found in the same scene and they are probably found in scenes that are not back to back. It is certain that the actor will have a different costume and the actor will probably make different vocal choices.

In representational plays, the fourth wall is also not broken. The characters go about their own business on the stage and ignore the audience. It is as if the audience is not there for the characters, even if the actors see the audience and are trying to elicit a response from them through their acting.

Some plays that are probably at least close to fully representational are The Miracle Worker, The Producers, and Pizza Man.

However, representational did not come about until the 20th century. While there will be representational plays, it is likely that you will find more presentational plays. A presentational play acknowledges that it is still part of theatre. The audience is going to be addressed. Shakespearean plays are considered presentational plays. If you think about it, Romeo and Juliet opens with a prologue that addresses the audience. Hamlet has a soliloquy, and while some poeple may talk to themselves, it is unlikely that it is done in this style. Hamlet is most likely saying these things in order to address the audience, even though he is not directly addressing them. It reminds the audience that it is theatre.

Any play that has a narrator is presentational in nature. The Glass Menagerie is a presentational play. If you saw The Teenager Project: Mythbusting Adolesence in Lake Charles, LA, that is a play that is mainly presentational. The characters address the audience. The actors play more than one character. This is done by different vocalizations and physical choices. Costumes may be changed by quickly adding or removing a piece of clothing or just decoration.

So, know what type of play your play mainly is once you get the main part of it written. It will help you to understand your own play. Remember, though, don't try to force it to be purely one style. It is likely going to be a mix of both styles and that will most likely feel the most natural.

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