Encores! High Spirits
Activity: Modern-Day Drawing Room Comedy
Drawing room comedies are plays that typically take place in a single, elegant interior space where characters gather for social visits, private conversations, and polite interactions that often mask conflict.
Common elements include:
- A limited setting (often one main room)
- Social etiquette and manners that heighten tension
- Secrets, misunderstandings, and mistaken identities
- Characters from similar social worlds whose relationships become tangled
- Comedy that arises from what is said and what is left unsaid
High Spirits follows this tradition by combining drawing room comedy with spiritualism and the supernatural.
Outlining a Modern Drawing Room Comedy
Imagine a modern-day drawing room comedy inspired by your life. You will outline the idea for a drawing room comedy play of your own using the sections below.
1. Two-Sentence Play Description
In two sentences, describe your play idea.
Think about:
- Who gathers in this space?
- What supernatural or unexpected events disrupt the social order?
Example Prompt:
This is a comedy about .
When , everything begins to unravel.
2. Characters
Drawing room comedies often focus on a small group of interconnected characters.
List your main characters and briefly describe:
- Their role in the group
- What they want
- What they are hiding (if anything)
Include at least one character who believes in the unexpected event or supernatural, and at least one character who is skeptical.
3. Setting
Drawing room comedies usually take place in a space meant for hosting guests and private conversations.
Describe your setting:
- Where does the story take place?
- Why is this space important for secrets, tension, or comedy?
- Why can’t the characters easily leave?
Modern settings might include an apartment living room, a vacation home common area, a salon, a restaurant, your classroom, etc.
4. The Social Problem
At the heart of a drawing room comedy is a social disruption—something that threatens order, reputation, or relationships.
Describe:
- What problem or misunderstanding drives the story?
- What social rules or expectations are being challenged?
- If applicable, how does the supernatural (a ghost, séance, or spiritual belief) complicate the situation?
5. Comedic Conventions
☐ Misunderstandings
☐ Secrets revealed
☐ Polite behavior hiding chaos
☐ Rivalries or romantic tension
☐ Belief vs. skepticism
☐ A supernatural presence disrupting normal life
Briefly explain how one of these conventions appears in your outline.
Reflection
- Why do you think drawing room comedies are effective settings for supernatural stories?
- How does limiting the space heighten comedy and tension?
- In what ways does High Spirits follow these conventions?