What are the different types of theatre?

💬 It is sometimes complex to give a precise genre to a play because it can belong to several … Like films!

That's why, in our program, we classify them into several categories…

Let's take a look at the theatre together 🥰

Theatre: what are the theatrical genres?

To avoid a somewhat lengthy overview, let us tell you about the theatrical genres you can find when you are comfortably seated in the armchairs of our Laurette Theatre .

Theatrical comedy

Certainly one of the most popular genres because it is one of the most entertaining.

It is the very opposite of tragedy; its goal is to make people laugh, to convey optimism and joy.

Generally, comedy deals with questions or aspects of daily life with an emphasis on laughter, always with the aim of generating hilarity and creating a connection with the audience!

Several plays are included: Simplify spelling. Let's vote? , Swindlers from father to son , Kiss me idiot , but also more classic ones like those of Molière, Marivaux or Beaumarchais.

In theatrical comedy, there is also Vaudeville, which is very popular.

Theatrical drama

Theatrical drama is a genre still very present in plays today since it allows, still and always, the depiction of different scenes of daily life while taking care to leave room for the thoughts , feelings and concerns of the characters.

They are serious in nature and address social or psychological conflicts.

Authors like Victor Hugo or Alfred Musset belong to this genre, as do Jean-Paul Sartre with No Exit , Jean Genet with The Maids , and Charlotte Brontë with Jane Eyre.

Classical or contemporary theatre?

When you have to choose which play , your heart may waver between a classic or a contemporary play.

This is also one of the criteria that define the type you like!

Here's how to differentiate them.

What is a classical play?

A classic play typically takes place in a single location throughout the story. It could be a maid's room, a country house, a street… This helps to maintain the audience's attention!

Tragedy and comedy are the two genres that constitute the main genres of this type of theatre.

We offer plays of this type such as No Exit, The Maids, or Jane Eyre, but you can also read or see classic plays such as those by Samuel Beckett.

The classic version does not involve any interaction with the audience.

What is a contemporary play?

Unlike classical plays, contemporary plays are not composed of a pre-established stage framework . Creativity is at the heart of the research process in order to bring texts to life in the most vibrant, yet unconventional, way possible!

The audience then witnesses a show where strong emotions arise and where the personalities of the actors can help to engage the public.

You can therefore find yourself interacting directly with the troupe playing in front of you, but also among yourselves!

Interaction is, in fact, one of the major differences that exist between the contemporary and classical types.

Don't be mistaken: classical plays can be just as interesting as contemporary ones. However, the writing and techniques are not the same; you therefore need to understand the specific characteristics to know which you prefer!

We invite you to discover classic plays revisited by our modern directors, respectful of the author's work and his oeuvre, but always with a touch of modernization.