leikriti

Leikriti is the written text of a theatrical work in Icelandic, serving as the script used by actors, directors, and designers during rehearsal and performance. The term can refer to the original manuscript by the playwright or to a published edition intended for readers. In practice, a leikriti encompasses dialogue, stage directions, character descriptions, and setting information; the balance of these elements varies with the author and production. It is typically created to facilitate performance rather than to stand alone as a piece of literary writing, though many editions are read as literature as well.

Etymology and scope: The word is formed from parts meaning play or drama (leikr-) and writing (rit). The suffix -riti marks a written document, so leikriti denotes the written form of a dramatic work. This construction is common in Icelandic for written materials associated with performance, including scripts used in theatre.

Usage and context: A playwright composes a leikriti, which may evolve through workshops, revisions, and collaboration with directors and dramaturgs. Leikriti can be staged by theatre companies, studied in drama education, and published as books with annotations, cast lists, and production histories. In modern practice, translations and digital formats help broaden access to Icelandic play scripts for audiences and researchers worldwide.

See also: drama, theatre, script, dramaturgy, play.