What is the term used for playing recorded speech during a performance?

The term for playing recorded speech during a performance is referred to as a voice over. This technique involves using pre-recorded audio, typically of a character’s thoughts or narrative, which adds depth to the storytelling by providing context or insight that may not be conveyed through the actors' performances alone.

Voice overs are powerful tools in theatre and film as they can enhance the audience's understanding of the plot, provide backstory, or convey emotional states. This technique allows the audience to hear the character's inner voice, adding a layer of complexity to the performance.

The other options do not relate to the concept of recorded speech. Flashforward is a narrative device used to move the story ahead in time, while a monologue refers to a speech delivered by a single character, often directed to other characters or the audience but not recorded. Slow motion is a technique that alters the speed of action on stage or screen but does not involve any recorded dialogue.