A one-person play is primarily called a monodrama. It can also be referred to as a solo performance or a one-person show.
Understanding Monodrama and Solo Performance
A monodrama is a theatrical piece designed to be acted by a single performer. In this unique dramatic format, one actor embodies all the characters, delivers all the lines, and often performs all actions required to tell the story. The entire narrative, character development, and emotional journey rest solely on the shoulders of that individual performer.
While the term "monodrama" specifically refers to a drama with a single actor, the broader terms "solo performance" or "one-person show" are often used interchangeably to describe any theatrical production featuring only one performer. These performances can range from deeply dramatic narratives to comedic acts, often exploring complex themes or presenting intimate character studies.
Key Characteristics of a Solo Performance
Solo performances distinguish themselves through several core characteristics:
- Single Actor: The most defining feature is that only one actor appears on stage throughout the entire production.
- Multi-Role Potential: The single actor may portray multiple characters, often shifting between them seamlessly through vocal changes, physicality, or costume elements.
- Intimate Connection: Solo performances often create a very direct and intimate connection between the actor and the audience, as there are no other characters to buffer the interaction.
- Creative Constraints: The limitation of a single actor can inspire immense creativity in storytelling, set design, and the use of sound and lighting to convey different environments or interactions.
- Intensive Demands: These plays demand exceptional skill, stamina, and versatility from the performer, who must carry the entire narrative and emotional weight of the production.
Notable Examples in Theatre
The concept of a single actor carrying an entire play has a rich history in theatre. Some of the most iconic works in modern drama are monodramas, showcasing the power and depth achievable with just one performer.
| Play Title | Playwright | First Performed | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krapp's Last Tape | Samuel Beckett | 1958 | Features an aging man listening to tape recordings of his younger self, contemplating his past and present. |
| Happy Days | Samuel Beckett | 1961 | A woman, Winnie, buried up to her waist (and later neck) in a mound of earth, continues to cheerfully perform daily routines while her husband occasionally appears. |
| I Am My Own Wife | Doug Wright | 2003 | Based on the true story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a transvestite who survived both Nazi and Communist regimes in East Germany, with the single actor portraying dozens of characters. |
| Shirley Valentine | Willy Russell | 1986 | A working-class Liverpudlian housewife speaks directly to the audience about her life and her decision to go on a transformative holiday to Greece. |
These plays exemplify how a single performer can create compelling and multifaceted theatrical experiences, proving that a cast of one can deliver profound dramatic impact.
Why Solo Performance?
Solo performances are often chosen for their ability to:
- Offer Deep Character Exploration: They allow for an unparalleled focus on a single character's inner world, motivations, and journey.
- Flexibility and Portability: With fewer logistical requirements, solo shows can be easier to tour and perform in various venues.
- Direct Storytelling: The absence of other actors often leads to direct address to the audience, fostering a unique sense of intimacy and immediacy.
- Economic Viability: From a production standpoint, a single actor significantly reduces cast costs and logistical complexities.
While the term "monologue" often comes to mind when thinking of a single actor speaking, it's important to differentiate. A monologue is typically a long speech delivered by one character within a larger play, often to other characters or the audience. A monodrama, on the other hand, is the entire play, performed by that single individual.
