closet drama

American  

noun

1. drama appropriate for reading rather than for acting.

2. a play in this form.

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closet drama British  

noun

1. 1. drama suitable for reading rather than performing

   2. a play of this kind

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Example Sentences

Theater has a long tradition of closet dramas, plays that were written to be read rather than staged.

From New York Times

Like so many Golden Age mysteries, the original novel is essentially a closet drama, one that closely observes the theatrical unities of place, time and action.

From Washington Post

English history plays were rare; Roman history plays frequent; Senecan closet dramas continued; the Marlowean and Kydian traditions received further development.

From Project Gutenberg

It does not concern itself with plays, past or present, intended primarily to be read—closet drama.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet some closet dramas seem to want to stay in the closet.

From The Guardian