Plays: Structure, Characters, Setting and Stage Directions

A play is written to be acted. Structure: acts and scenes. Elements: characters, setting, plot, dialogue, stage directions (in brackets, e.g. (She enters slowly.)), theme, conflict. Read: 'MAMA: (looking at the empty granary) The rains failed again. / JOHN: (cheerfully) Then we shall plant early next season. / MAMA: (softly) You always find hope, my son.'