coup de théâtre

[ kooduh tey-ah-truh ]
/ kudə teɪˈɑ trə /

noun, plural coups de thé·â·tre [kooduh tey-ah-truh] /kudə teɪˈɑ trə/. French.

a surprising or unexpected turn of events in a play.
a sensational and unexpected turn in the plot of a drama.
any theatrical trick intended to have a sensational effect.

British Dictionary definitions for coup de theatre

coup de théâtre
/ French (ku də teɑtrə) /

noun plural coups de théâtre (ku də teɑtrə)

a dramatic turn of events, esp in a play
a sensational device of stagecraft
a stage success

Word Origin for coup de théâtre

literally: stroke of the theatre