Aside

For other uses, seeAside (disambiguation).

Anasideis adramatic devicein which acharacterspeaks to theaudience.By convention, the audience is to realize that the character's speech is unheard by the other characters on stage. It may be addressed to the audience expressly (in character or out) or represent an unspoken thought. An aside is usually a brief comment rather than a speech, such as amonologueorsoliloquy.

The aside was used byIan Richardson's characterFrancis Urquhartin the 1990BBCmini-seriesHouse of Cards,as well as byKevin Spacey's character Frank Underwood in the 2013Netflixoriginal series of the same name.It can be used to explain the often complex politics on the show, describe what the character's plans/emotions are or simply for humorous effect.

It was also used byMichaela Coel’s character Tracey in the Channel 4 comedy seriesChewing Gum;and by the titular character inFleabag,written and played byPhoebe Waller-Bridge.

References

• Bevington, David (1962).From Mankind to Marlowe.Cambridge, Massachusetts:Harvard University Press.
• Cox, John D. and David Scott Kastan (Eds) (1997).A New History of English Drama.New York:Columbia University Press.
• Salingar, Leo (1972).Shakespeare and the Traditions of Comedy.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.