Afterpiece meaning

An afterpiece is a short entertainment piece performed after the main play or opera.


Afterpiece definitions

Word backwards eceipretfa
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "afterpiece" is a noun.
Syllabic division af-ter-piece
Plural The plural of the word "afterpiece" is "afterpieces."
Total letters 10
Vogais (3) a,e,i
Consonants (5) f,t,r,p,c

Afterpieces were short musical or theatrical performances that were traditionally performed after the main play in a theater during the 17th and 18th centuries. These performances were meant to provide a light-hearted and entertaining conclusion to the evening's entertainment.

Origin and History

The term "afterpiece" originated from the practice of staging a short piece after the main play that served as a sort of encore or bonus performance for the audience. These pieces were often comedic or farcical in nature, providing a contrast to the more serious or dramatic tone of the main play.

Format and Content

Afterpieces typically featured songs, dances, and comedic sketches performed by the actors on stage. These performances were often unscripted and improvised, adding an element of spontaneity and excitement to the evening's entertainment.

Legacy and Influence

While afterpieces are no longer a common practice in modern theater, their influence can still be seen in the structure of some contemporary performances. The idea of providing an additional, lighter entertainment for the audience after the main event is still present in forms such as encores at concerts or bonus features on DVDs.

In conclusion, afterpieces were an important part of the theater-going experience in the past, providing audiences with a fun and entertaining way to end their evening. Though they may no longer be as popular as they once were, the legacy of afterpieces lives on in the tradition of providing audiences with extra entertainment to enjoy.


Afterpiece Examples

  1. The afterpiece of the play was a delightful musical number.
  2. The afterpiece of the meal was a decadent slice of chocolate cake.
  3. The afterpiece of the party was a fireworks display.
  4. The afterpiece of the conference was a roundtable discussion.
  5. The afterpiece of the movie was a blooper reel.
  6. The afterpiece of the event was a dance performance.
  7. The afterpiece of the book was a bonus chapter.
  8. The afterpiece of the ceremony was a surprise guest speaker.
  9. The afterpiece of the show was a meet-and-greet with the cast.
  10. The afterpiece of the exhibition was a guided tour of the artwork.


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  • Updated 07/04/2024 - 15:00:27