variety act
Revue's individual component
A variety act is a performance in a variety show—a program featuring diverse entertainment such as comedy, magic, singing, acrobatics, or novelty talents.
The term can refer to the performer or the performance itself: She started as a variety act in vaudeville.
The format emphasizes short, self-contained acts rather than a unified narrative.
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
- circusTraveling entertainment with performers
- big topMain circus tent
- jugglingSequential toss-and-catch performance
- acrobatAgile circus performer
magician · magic trick · top hat · sideshow · performer · cabaret · burlesque · novelty · talent · stage · center stage · entertainer · trapeze · contortionist · showman · curtain · applause · standing ovation
- comedy writingjoke, jokes, comedy, satire, parody
- live actsmagic show, juggling, acrobatics, trapeze, fire breathing
- performance artsmime, mimicry, impressions, celebrity impression, drag performance
- performancestalent show, dance routine, ballet, musical, recital
- solo actssolo performance, one-man show, one-woman show, solo concert, stand-up
- variety showsSaturday Night Live, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show, Laugh-In, The Muppet Show
variety actfeature film
Standard-length theatrical release
three-act play · opera · ballet · theatrical run · miniseries
variety actdramatic play
Scripted or improvised acting
book musical · dramatic arc · character study · repertory theater · legitimate theater
variety actlegitimate theater
Live dramatic stage productions
high art · legitimate theatre · art film · fine arts · opera
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