Entry into society; first appearance in public of an actor, actress, or other performer. Also transferred.

A play, opera, song, film, etc., which is intended or regarded as a means of displaying (the work of) a particular performer or writer to the best…

Hence in special senses. A theatrical performance the receipts from which are given to a particular actor, the playwright, or some other person…

A piece of music, writing, etc., which provides the opportunity for a display of skill or technique.

a benefit performance: see quot. 1812.

Chiefly in Bengal: a theatrical entertainment or song recital staged during a religious festival.

elliptical. A command performance (see compounds below and command-night). colloquial.

figurative. ‘Luscious’ literary composition. Also, a showy or non-serious performance.

a piece of music or other act performed by a person on a special occasion; an unusual trick, feat, etc., for which one is renowned; cf. party trick n.

Originally U.S. A touring show performed by actors, musicians, or other entertainers; spec. a showing of a film in a regional venue other than a…

(a) a single performance of a play, show, or the like at a particular place; esp. one given by a touring company, band, etc.; a town, theatre…

Originally U.S. Theatre. Any of various places or stops on the tour of a play, concert, etc.; a performance or performances given at such a place…

a show or other entertainment, consisting of, or performed by, one person only; spec. an exhibition of the work of one artist.

Theatre. In plural with the. Small towns lacking a proper theatre. to do the smalls: to give performances (usually for one night) in small towns. Now…

a theatrical, musical, etc. performance given by royal command; also figurative.

an entertainment for which special tickets are sold, the proceeds being for the benefit of a particular person or object.

Something frivolous, (an instance of) frivolity; a frivolous or light-hearted event, etc. (esp. a literary or cinematographic production); also, a…

A rehearsal of a play, film, or other performance, carried out without stopping or interruption. Also gen.: a performance or showing of a play…

Something produced in advance; (a) preliminary or trial production.

colloquial (originally Theatre). A roaringly successful show, performer, etc.; a hit; (more generally) a person who or thing which is extremely…

colloquial (originally U.S.). = one-night stand n. at one-night, adj. compounds.

attributive and in other combinations, as gala dinner, gala flag, gala performance, gala show.

Improvisation, esp. as a theatrical technique. Also (as a count noun): a piece of improvisation; a performance, exercise, etc., making use of this…

The ‘warming up’ of an audience into a receptive mood, esp. before a broadcast programme is recorded or transmitted. See sense 2b of the verb.

= improv, n.