Chapter 3 A Brief History of Theatre Architecture

Chapter 3: A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology Space in the modern theatre… Audience Seating Backstage Space (4 th Wall) Stage Audience Space Proscenium: Spectators watch action through a picture frame Audience Seating Arena: Stage surrounded by audience 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: (4 th 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 1600 s – 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 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 1 st spotlight 1 st 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 20 th 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 1940 s Digital controls introduced in the 1980 s Recorded sound introduced in the 1930 s / 1940 s Computers and technology invade theatres in early 1980 s 20 th century Theatre Theatrical Design and Production