An afterpiece is a short, usually humorous one-act playlet or musical work following the main attraction, the full-length play, and concluding the theatrical evening.[1] This short comedy, farce, opera or pantomime was a popular theatrical form in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was presented to lighten the five-act tragedy that was commonly performed.

A similar piece preceding the main attraction is a curtain raiser.

An example is The Padlock by Charles Dibdin, first performed in London in 1768.

Notes

  1. ↑ p24 "The Chambers Dictionary"Edinburgh, Chambers,2003 ISBN 0-550-10013-X
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