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Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Space in the modern theatre…
Audience
Seating
Audience
Seating
Backstage
Stage
Space
(4th Wall)
Stage
Stage
Audience Space
Proscenium:
Spectators watch action
through a picture frame
Audience
Seating
Audience
Seating
Arena:
Stage surrounded by
audience
Audience
Seating
Audience
Seating
Thrust:
Stage projects into
audience space – audience
on 3 sides
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Columned
Arches:
proskenium
Audience space:
Theatron
Stage house:
Skene
Playing space:
Orchestra
Greek Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Other terms to know!
Remember!!!
Much of what we know about the Greeks is
an ‘educated guess’!!!
Greek Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Other terms to know!
Paraskenia: long, high walls that extended on either side of
and parallel with the skene
Eccyclema: A wheeled platform used in a variety of ways –
revelation of dead bodies
Periaktoi: (4th c. B.C.) tall, 3-sided forms that rotated on a
central pivot – most likely each side painted to fit a different
‘scene’
Pinakes: Painted panels much like modern flats
Greek Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Scene house:
Scaenae fons
Audience
Space:
Cavea
Roman Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Other terms to know!
Velum: An awning that covered the seating area in some
theatres
Periaktoi: Still in use but now painted three ways: comic,
tragic, & satiric
Auleum: A front curtain was lowered into a slot or trough in the
floor
Siparium: A curtain hung at the back of the stage – much like a
backdrop
Evidence points to complex scenery such as traps and moving
pieces that filled the spectacles of ancient Rome!
Roman Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Church dramas & traveling stages…
All follow the conventions
of the church
Small buildings
(mansions) depict
locations
Development of special
effects (secrets)
Pageant wagons
Medieval Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Mansion
Heaven
Platea
Hell
Medieval Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Theatres patterned after classical models…
Theatre moves
indoors!
Interest in scenic
design
Key characteristics:
Raked stage
Use of forced
perspective
Stock sets
Painted drops
Lit by candlelight
Blame
Vitruvius…
he’s the one
who wrote
about the
classics!
Teatro Olympico in Vicenza, Italy
1500-1650 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
The Renaissance in England…
Shakespeare’s theatre – The Globe
Partial covering for the audience
and players
Thrust configuration
Very little scenery
Some use of props
1500-1650 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Inner above
Inner below
Gallery
Pit
Stage
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Lighting in the Renaissance
Candle-lit chandeliers over stage and auditorium
Early 1600s – addition of reflectors
Introduction of footlights
Vertical rows of lamps hidden in the wings
1500-1650 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Spread of interest in the
spectacle
The Restoration Stage
Standardization of stage
designs / architecture
Apron performance space
Painted perspective drops,
wings, & borders
Interior sets
Multi-tiered boxes: Nobility
Galleries: Wealthy
Pit: Everyone else
1650-1900 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
The influence of Kabuki
Kabuki emerges in 1603
Originally performed outdoors
Moves indoors in 1724
Stage technology advances:
Elevator traps
Elevator stages
Revolving stages
Concentric revolving stages
1650-1900 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
1783 – Argang oil lamp
1792 – Beginning of gas lighting (William Murdoch)
Brighter & cleaner than oil/candles
Intensity was easily controlled
Flexible distribution systems
Lighting
in the
Restoration
1816 – Limelight (Thomas Drummond)
The 1st spotlight
1st electric light = carbon arc
By 1860 – Paris Opera House had a projector, a followspot, and some
lighting effects (all carbon arc)
1879 – Thomas Edison & the incandescent lamp
By 1900 – Theatres convert to electric light
1650-1900 Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
A change in the world…
With the emergence of realism comes a new style of theatre
Sets become environments for drama – not backgrounds!
The apron shrinks…
Stage space becomes more confined…
Audience space only faces the stage…
Movements form and dissolve quickly
Shift to ‘found spaces’ for performances
20th century Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology
Technological innovations…
Refinements to the incandescent light
Development of various lighting fixtures / instruments
Introduction of dimmers in the late 1940s
Digital controls introduced in the 1980s
Recorded sound introduced in the 1930s / 1940s
Computers and technology invade the theatres in early 1980s
20th century Theatre
Theatrical Design and Production