Afterpieces

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Short, often comedic theatrical performances presented following the main play as a light or supplementary entertainment ; brief additional works performed post-main show to extend the theatrical experience ; secondary dramatic pieces staged after the principal production to provide amusement or closure
2. Minor plays or sketches shown after the primary theatrical event to entertain audiences with lighter fare ; brief one-act performances after a major drama aimed at easing the mood or concluding the night with humor ; supplemental short dramas or farces following the main act designed to lighten or complement the original production
3. Postlude theatrical works performed after the main show, typically shorter and more humorous ; additional short-stage presentations offered following the lengthy primary drama to offer levity ; concluding brief theatrical acts staged after the headline performance for entertainment or transition purposes

Etymology: "Afterpieces" is the plural of "afterpiece," a compound of "after" and "piece." "After" comes from Old English "æfter," meaning behind or following in time or place, and "piece" is a word of Anglo-French and Middle English origin meaning a portion or item. Put together, the parts describe exactly what the term names: a short work that follows a larger one in the programme. The compound is transparent and the sense stayed close to its parts. In theatre use, the "after" element simply marks the position of the item in the evening's order, so the plural refers to several such short pieces presented one after another.

Synonyms: farces, sketches, interludes, one-acts, comedies