theatrical subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "theatrical subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a topic or theme related to theater or drama, often in discussions about plays, performances, or theatrical studies. Example: "The director chose a theatrical subject that would resonate with contemporary audiences, exploring themes of love and betrayal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But too often site-specific theatre seems to be based on little more than neat contiguity between theatrical subject and performance location.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Africa and AIDS are infrequent enough theatrical subjects to merit points for worthiness.

The New York Times

In 2004, the National Portrait Gallery showed a selection of his portraits, some of them of theatrical subjects.

The Guardian - Arts

For many years, Mr. Esslin was a producer for BBC radio and he wrote books on various theatrical subjects.

The New York Times - Arts

The rest of the exhibition is made up of works from Yale's collection, culled by the curator, Robin Jaffee Frank, all dealing with theatrical subjects.

The New York Times

Ragtag collections of prostitutes and pimps, drug addicts and sundry urban nighthawks, the people who populate his plays were unusual theatrical subjects in their day, but were no less sympathetic for that.

The New York Times

The early work here includes outdoor urban scenes: a bustling fruit stand in Coney Island, a run-down racetrack in New Jersey, images of popular pastimes like skating, and theatrical subjects, like the Manet-influenced "Seated Actress With Mirror" (circa 1903), a sexy -- for that period of American art -- rendition of an actress entertaining a young male admirer backstage.

The New York Times - Arts

The day after Mezdrich's dismissal, Magomedsalam Magomedov, the deputy head of the Kremlin Administration, proposed that theatrical productions be subject to "inspections" before they are presented to the public.

The New Yorker

Incidentally, Clark becomes involved with Oscar in a plan to produce a great theatrical epic whose subject turns out to be oddly topical.

The New York Times

Nathan published his Theatre Book of the Year annually from 1943 through 1951, as well as more than 30 volumes of lively essays on theatrical and other subjects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From then on, Laura concentrated more and more on theatrical and circus subjects, as well as fulfilling an enormous range of commercial and official commissions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a play or performance, use "theatrical subject" to clearly indicate the topic or theme being explored on stage. For instance, "The play's theatrical subject is the impact of war on families."

Common error

Avoid using "theatrical subject" when you actually mean "theatrical style". The "theatrical subject" is the topic, whereas "theatrical style" refers to the manner in which something is performed or presented.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "theatrical subject" functions as a noun phrase, where "theatrical" modifies "subject". It describes a specific area of focus within the realm of theatre. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in discussing plays and performances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "theatrical subject" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that identifies the topic or theme of a theatrical work. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. It is commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. When writing, ensure you are referring to the theme or topic and not the style of a performance. Alternative phrases include "dramatic theme" or "play's theme". Understanding the nuances of this phrase can improve the clarity and precision of your writing about theatre and performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dramatic theme

Replaces "subject" with "theme", emphasizing the thematic content within a theatrical work.

stage subject

Substitutes "theatrical" with "stage", directly relating the subject to stage performances.

play's theme

Specifies that the theme belongs to a play, narrowing the context to dramatic works.

topic of the play

Rephrases as "topic of the play", providing a more direct and common way to describe the subject matter.

subject of the drama

Uses "drama" instead of "theatrical", slightly broadening the scope to include various forms of dramatic art.

narrative focus

Shifts the emphasis to the narrative aspect, highlighting what the story revolves around in a theatrical context.

performance topic

Replaces "theatrical" with "performance", broadening the scope to any type of performance.

story's subject

Highlights the subject from the narrative perspective, framing it as the central idea of a story presented theatrically.

theatrical motif

Replaces "subject" with "motif", emphasizing a recurring element or idea within the theatrical work.

central theme of the play

Adds "central theme", reinforcing the importance and thematic nature of the subject in a theatrical context.

FAQs

How can I use "theatrical subject" in a sentence?

You can use "theatrical subject" to refer to the main topic or theme of a play or performance. For example, "The "play's theatrical subject" is the struggle for power in a corrupt society."

What's another way to say "theatrical subject"?

Alternatives include "dramatic theme", "stage subject", or "play's theme". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "theatrical subject" formal or informal?

"Theatrical subject" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts when discussing theater or drama. However, in more casual conversation, phrases like "topic of the play" might be preferred.

How does "theatrical subject" differ from "theatrical production"?

"Theatrical subject" refers to the theme or topic explored in a performance, while "theatrical production" refers to the entire process of staging and presenting a play or show.