Art: Theatre and cinema

playwright

A person who writes plays. "Shakespeare is the most celebrated playwright in the English language."

script

The written text of a play or film. "The actors memorised every line of the script."

cast

All the actors in a play or film. "The cast includes several well-known stage actors."

to rehearse

To practise a performance. "The cast rehearsed for six weeks before opening night."

rehearsal

A practice performance. "The director held a final rehearsal the evening before opening night."

premiere

The first public performance or showing. "The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival."

director

The person in charge of making a film or staging a play. "The director had a clear creative vision for the production."

to perform

To give a public presentation, as in acting or music. "She performed the lead role with great emotional depth."

performance

A public presentation of a play, concert or other entertainment. "The opening night performance received a standing ovation."

to sell out

(Of a performance) to have all tickets bought. "The show sold out within hours of the tickets going on sale."

backstage

The area behind the stage not seen by the audience. "Only cast and crew are allowed backstage."

plot twist

An unexpected development in the story. "The final plot twist completely shocked the audience."

special effects

Illusions created by technology in film or theatre. "The film's special effects were spectacular."

subtitles

Text at the bottom of a screen showing the dialogue in another language. "She watched the film in French with English subtitles."

dubbed

(Film) with the original speech replaced by a translation. "The film was dubbed into Italian."

blockbuster

A highly successful and popular film. "The summer blockbuster broke all box-office records."