What makes a good play?

[Biff AKA Levi]

What makes a good play?#1

Posted: 10/12/09 at 4:20am

As an audience member, what do you think makes a great play? Great characters? Good sets? Natural dialogue?

"I want a lap dance from an octopus."

-JG2

[Marquise]

re: What makes a good play?#2

Posted: 10/12/09 at 4:44am

It starts out with a great written play on the page by the playwright. From their it's a collaborative effort between the actors, director, playwright and production staff. All these elements working together to drive what's on the written page is what ultimately makes great theater but it starts with what's on the written page.

[Biff AKA Levi]

re: What makes a good play?#2

Posted: 10/12/09 at 4:50am

Thanks for that well written answer.

It leads me to my next question: What makes a great written play?

"I want a lap dance from an octopus."

-JG2

[dramamama611]

re: What makes a good play?#3

Posted: 10/12/09 at 6:01am

It's no one thing. It's many things working together...and the importance of each of those things vary from person to person.

For ME? It's an interesting story, which characters I believe in and care about. I need to make a connection of some sort.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[Weez]

re: What makes a good play?#4

Posted: 10/12/09 at 5:52pm

Bloodshed, sword fights, flames, shirtless men, and severed body parts.

There are no words for how much I miss the Globe's production of Troilus and Cressida.

Notes from the Earlham Street Gutter

[Scripps2]

re: What makes a good play?#5

Posted: 10/12/09 at 6:01pm

Something that leaves me wiser, challenged and/or more knowledgeable than when I entered the theatre.

Something that makes me contemplate that which I had not comprehended.