leikrit

Leikrit is the Icelandic term for a theatrical play or drama. It refers to a scripted work intended for performance on stage and is used to denote a complete dramatic piece, in contrast to prose fiction or film scripts.

Etymology and sense: The word combines leik- meaning “play” or “game” with rit, from a root meaning writing or script. Together they convey the idea of a written play. In Icelandic, leikrit can be translated as “play” or “drama” depending on the context, and it is the standard term for a stage work.

Usage and context: Leikrit is used in literary and theatre contexts in Iceland. A leikrit is typically read or studied as a drama and then enacted by actors during a theatre production. In Icelandic culture, the term covers both classical and contemporary works, and it appears in curricula, criticism, and programme notes. The text of a leikrit often includes dialogue, stage directions, and notes on performance.

Relation to English terms: When translating, leikrit is commonly rendered as “play” in the sense of a stage production, while “drama” may be used to emphasize the broader artistic form. The term stresses the written, performable nature of the work rather than its cinematic or narrative form.

See also: Theatre of Iceland; Þjóðleikhúsið (National Theatre of Iceland); Icelandic language; drama.