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Magic Lantern
An early form of oversized projector, with trick slides which simulated movement or action. Magic lantern shows lost their appeal when audiences became more sophisticated. Modern lanterns are now used for rear projection and special effects.Mark or Marks
Chalk or tape markings placed on the stage floor signifying where a performer should be during key scenes or segments of his act. Marks are used so that the performer will always be in the proper location when special lighting and effects are used. "Hitting one's mark's" has become more crucial with television and motion picture productions because of additional technical aspects such as camera placement and focusing, the arrangement of microphones, etc.Masque
(1) A dramatic form of aristocratic entertainment popular during 16th and 17th Century England. Often based upon mythology or allegorical folklore, they originally consisted of only music, dance and pantomime. Eventually, masques included singing and dialog in verse along with lavish costumes, scenery and other high production values.
(2) A dramatic composition for such a production, usually written in verse.Master of Ceremonies
A person who directs the entertainment of a vaudeville show, a revue, a burlesque, etc. He or she acts like the host, leading the audience in applause for the last act, introducing the next acts, filling in breaks with patter, etc. Also known as an Emcee or M.C.Matinèe
Any show done during the daylight hours, usually in the afternoon, rather than in the evening. Also spelled Matinee.M.C.
See Master of Ceremonies. The words M.C. or Emcee are coined from the two main initials of Master of Ceremonies.Medicine Show
A small traveling troupe that offered entertainment to attract customers in order to sell patent medicine. Such nostrums were usually either worthless or harmful to one's health. Most medicine shows were put on from either small tents or specially rigged wagon stages so the performers could leave town in a hurry if customers wanted their money back or tried to lynch the troupe. Real medicine shows died out in the early 1900's but recreations can still be seen at Western-style amusement parks. See Gaff.Melodrama
A hammy, overacted drama with overdrawn characters, sensationalism, romance, violence, a smashing climax and typically a happy ending. Melodrama is loaded with extravagant emotions, overdone music and cheap sound effects. Its heroes are always pure and its villains totally evil. The audience is encouraged to cheer the good guys and hiss the bad guys.Method, The
See Stanislavski Method.Mime
(1) See Pantomime.
(2) A modern pantomime performer, a white-faced clown usually in simple or plain black attire.Minstrel
(1) One of a class of wandering medieval lyric poets who sang or recited tales while accompanying themselves on an instrument.
(2) Any singer, musician or poet.
(3) One of a troupe, usually in blackface, who presented jokes, singing, dancing, etc. in a stereotypical 'Negro' manner.Minstrel Show
A formula stage show featuring comic dialogue, music, song and dance. Traditionally, the troupe would be men only, attired in swallow-tail coats, striped trousers, white gloves and blackface. The entire troupe would sit in chairs arranged in either an arch or straight line, with the Interlocutor in the center chair, the End Men seated at the far corners and the remainder of the chairs comprised of the chorus. Mr. Interlocutor (occasionally in the only one in whiteface) would act as announcer and carry on humorous dialogue with the end men, often called Mr. Bones (because he played the bones) and Mr. Tambo (because he played the tambourine). The typical minstrel show would be divided into two or three parts. The first part would be comprised of jokes and songs. Part two would be skits and members of the chorus doing specialty acts. The optional third part was shortened versions of legitimate plays, often parodied.Popular in the United States from the early 19th Century, minstrel shows slowly fell out of favor because of their negative 'Negro' stereotypes. Even though towards the end of their run, Blacks had assumed many of the roles and were making good money for those times, minstrel shows remained confined to their old format. Until their end, many White audiences were not aware of how offensive Black people viewed minstrel shows to be.
Miracle Play
10th to 16th century plays based on episodes from the Bible, originally performed in churches. Miracle plays covered both the Old and New Testament, most notably the Acts of the Apostles. As the times grew less secular, miracle plays were performed on mobile stages at fairs, marketplaces and guilds.Morality Play
10th to 16th century plays which were dramatized allegories of good and evil influences fighting for mankind's soul. Famous morality plays include Everyman, Castle of Perseverance and Mandkind. Unlike miracle plays or mystery plays, morality plays were more about how common people struggled with moral issues.Mugging
(1) Assuming exaggerated facial expressions for comic effect, acceptable in vaudeville, burlesque, etc.
(2) An actor or actress in a minor role overacting to attract undo attention. See Upstage.Musical
Light dramatic plays featuring musical interludes of singing and dancing in solo or in groups. Such plays of a highly comedic nature with a slight plot are also called a Musical Comedy.Musical Comedy
See Musical.Music Hall
(1) An auditorium for musical or theatrical productions.
(2) A British form of vaudeville or variety theater.Mystery Play
9th to 16th century religious plays based either upon the lives of saints or the Fall, Redemption and Final Judgment of God. Different than miracle plays, mystery plays contained material that was either not directly from the Bible or interpretations of future Biblical events.
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