coup de théâtre

American  

[kood^uhtey-ah-tr^uh] / kudəteɪˈɑ trə /

noun

French.

PLURAL

coups de théâtre

1. a surprising or unexpected turn of events in a play.

2. a sensational and unexpected turn in the plot of a drama.

3. any theatrical trick intended to have a sensational effect.

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coup de théâtre British  

/ ku də teɑtrə /

noun

1. a dramatic turn of events, esp in a play

2. a sensational device of stagecraft

3. a stage success

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Etymology

Origin of coup de théâtre

literally: stroke of the theatre

Example Sentences

That celebrated coup de théâtre has been evoked but not staged with any possibility of mortal threat.

From The Wall Street Journal

When the other dancers let go of the fabric, his spinning winds it around him, gathering it into his whirlpool motion, a coup de théâtre.

From New York Times

For the director Kenny Leon and the scenic designer Beowulf Boritt, both returning for this “Hamlet” — the Public Theater’s fifth in the park since 1964 and 13th overall — it’s a coup de théâtre, if an odd one.

From New York Times

That was a coup de theatre of the finest art - no-one expected such a high calibre manager and such a character to return to Italy after his successes and controversial moments at previous club Inter Milan, least of all depressed Roma fans.

From BBC

Something in the air had shifted, as if a coup de théâtre were about to change the narrative; press photographers near me took out their safety helmets.

From New York Times