revue

A revue is a kind of stage show made of songs, short comedy sketches, and dance numbers. It often has a light, playful tone and may joke about current events, famous people, or social trends. Unlike a play or musical, it usually does not tell one continuous story. The word sounds like review, but it refers to this special kind of theatrical entertainment.

The word revue comes from French and is related to the idea of looking over or surveying something. In English, it names a type of stage entertainment that became especially popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in places like Paris, London, and New York. A revue is usually built from separate parts rather than one full story, so the audience sees a series of songs, comic sketches, dances, and other short performances.

These shows often mix glamour with humor. Many of them comment on the news, fashion, politics, or everyday life, usually in a witty or satirical way. Classic examples include the Ziegfeld Follies, which helped define the grand American style of this kind of show. Today, the word is still useful when you want to describe a theatrical production made of varied acts, especially one with music, comedy, and a topical edge. It should not be confused with review, which means an evaluation or critique rather than a performance.