mainpiece

plural mainpieces · alternative main-piece

1. entertainmentThe primary play or other work performed at an evening's entertainment at the theatre, as opposed to smaller introductory or additional works.

   A typical evening at the principal Dublin theatres could extend over five or six hours and consisted of a mainpiece, frequently with a prologue and epilogue, followed by one, and occasionally two, afterpieces.

   1993, John C Greene, Gladys LH Clark, The Dublin Stage, 1720–1745, page 72

   1 more example

   Drury Lane and Covent Garden put on mainly spoken plays; the all-sung operas staged there were usually afterpieces in English, though operas with spoken dialogue also appeared among the mainpieces in various guises, including ballad opera and burletta.

   2007, Michael Burden, edited by Moody & O'Quinn, British Theatre 1730-1830, page 205

2. nauticalThe principal part of a ship's head; the principal piece of timber in a rudder.