[See -ITY.]
1. The quality or character of being theatrical; theatricalness. With a and pl. an instance of this.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. I. ix. By act and word he strives to do it; with sincerity, if possible; failing that, with theatricality.
1880. R. L. Nettleship, Hellenica, 112. A tendency to theatricality and effusiveness.
1889. Times, 27 Feb., 9/2. The absurd theatricalities with which the … campaign is now mainly carried on.
b. transf. A theatrical personage.
1840. Carlyle, Heroes, ii. This Mahomet … we will in no wise consider as an Inanity and Theatricality.
1892. Review of Rev., Jan., 657. Two such theatricalities as Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Lytton.
2. A theatrical matter; a dramatic performance.
1866. Carlyle, Remin. (1881), II. 164. I remember once taking her to Drury Lane Theatre…. Of the theatricality itself that night, I can remember absolutely nothing.
