Anything you put in a play -- any speech -- has got to do…
“Anything you put in a play -- any speech -- has got to do one of two things: either define character or push the action of the play along.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A speech must either reveal a character’s nature or advance the plot.
In simple terms: Speeches define characters or move story.
Key Takeaway
Use dialogue to clarify or propel.
Themes
character development
plot
dialogue
theatre
Mood
analytical
practical
Type
instructional
theatrical
When to use this quote
- scriptwriting
- acting workshops
- directing rehearsals
- theatre criticism
Key Concepts
dramatic structure
characterization
narrative momentum
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide a line’s primary purpose?
- Can a line achieve both aims?
A Different Perspective
A speech can also serve both purposes simultaneously, blurring the binary.