Why Does It Matter Where The Theater Performance Takes Place?

The theater is one of the most mysterious arts people observe and develop. It is a powerful tool to deliver messages and ideas, and at the same time, it can be a magnificent atmosphere to feel something new. Have you ever thought about why it feels so different when you look at the performance in a small room and a large hall with rich decorations and velvet coverings? Let’s find it out before getting acquainted with the best theatre cities in the world.

The magic of ambiance

People go to theaters for different reasons. Some want to feel something new, others want to see how various theater troupes play a piece, and thirds go for a unique feeling you can get only in the theater. In all three situations, ambiance is the fundamental key that determines if the performance is good or bad. This aspect is composed of several components:

  • the premise and its characteristics – bare figures about the square meters, scene size, and seats available;
  • colors – from the scene wood or covering to the color of the seats and the shades of chandelier reflections;
  • free space for moving and using as backstage – it is critical for many aspects that organizers need to define before and during the performance;
  • lighting – what light sources are already available, and how many more is it possible to install additionally;
  • acoustic characteristics – for those troupes or pieces that require using live music, it can be a decisive factor; even if they use speakers, it’s indispensable to figure out the best position and volume options.

Such secondary points determine a lot in the subconscious perception that the audience experiences.

How the premise impacts the perception of the piece

To be more specific about what aspects depend on the premise and its specificities, it would be fair to mention the following:

  • Space perception. It is inappropriate to perform in a tiny premise if a piece demands wide space, and vice versa. Consider the general idea that a piece delivers – it can also determine the space specifics.
  • The same touches on the music and speech. Small rooms make viewers feel like they are almost the participants in the action, while large halls give the feeling of distance and aggravate the 4th wall effect.
  • Accents and layers of performance on the same stage. The more the stage is spacious, the more it is complicated to give the right lighting to the whole stage, but the easier it is to emphasize the elements. Thus, larger spaces allow for more action, while small rooms with the same circumstances will give the feeling of fuss.

General impression unifies all the mentioned effects and makes you think that the performance was successful or not.

The theater is an art direction that makes you think about fine complex factors, whether you are a director or a viewer. The room for performance is in the background, but it is no less significant than the actors’ play or costumes. Learn more about theatrical and other art peculiarities with Art De Vivre!

 

Kimberly Atwood’s books have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. Kimberly lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, an exceptionally perfect dog, and an attack cat. Before she started writing historical research, Kimberly got a graduate degree in theoretical physical chemistry from Ohio State University. After that, just to shake things up, she went to law school at the University of London and graduated summa cum laude. Then she did a handful of clerkships with some really important people who are way too dignified to be named here. She was a law professor for a while. She now writes full-time.

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