chronicle play

American  

noun

1. a drama based on historical material, usually consisting of a series of short episodes or scenes arranged chronologically.

---

chronicle play British  

noun

1. a drama based on a historical subject

---

Etymology

Origin of chronicle play

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The recorder had featured in his incidental music for the 1970 BBC radio production of John Ford's chronicle play Perkin Warbeck, and Dodgson remembered vividly the dynamic playing of David Munrow in the sessions.

From The Guardian • Apr. 15, 2013

In 1960 Britain's Robert Bolt re-examined the matter of More in a superb chronicle play.

From Time Magazine Archive

The first third is little more than competent chronicle play; it is not till the second third that it becomes vibrantly Shavian; and not till the final third that it grows demonstrably great.

From Time Magazine Archive

The English chronicle play had evidently not yet made any stir at court; but many of the classical plays were drawn from Livy.

From Tragedy by Thorndike, Ashley H.

It animated Marlowe no less than Drake, and the author of the least successful chronicle play as well as admiral or counselor.

From Tragedy by Thorndike, Ashley H.