Dear friends! Of course, you know that for productive work you need to be able to relax. One of the nice and cultural ways recreation has long been considered a visit to the theater. But behind the first doors, in the lobby, we enter the world full of secrets and riddles. AT literally the words. We are captivated by a stream of unfamiliar, and often incomprehensible words: foyer, administrator, stalls, mezzanine... What to do? Where can I find an administrator? Where is it better to take a ticket: to the stalls or mezzanine? Where is the lobby? Let's try to figure it out.
Start over. What is theater?
Theatre(Greek Θέατρον - the main meaning is a place for spectacles, then - a spectacle, from θεάομαι - I look, I see) - a form of performing art.
Theater is a synthesis of all arts, it includes music, architecture, painting, cinematography, photography, etc. The main means of expression is the actor, who, through action, using various theatrical techniques and forms of existence, conveys to the viewer the essence of what is happening on the stage.
In this case, the actor does not have to be a living person. It can be a doll or some object controlled by a person. The theater is considered the most powerful means of influencing people, because, seeing what is happening on the stage, the viewer associates himself with one or another character. Through catharsis (purification through suffering), changes occur within him. The main workers of the theater: directors, actors, make-up artists, cloakroom attendants, illuminators, ushers, choreographers, artists, stage workers. But about them a little later.
Having opened the first entrance doors, we get into the lobby.
I, m. A large room separating the entrance from the inner parts of the building, mainly public. In many theaters, it is in the lobby that the box office and the administrator's window are located.
AT box office you can buy a ticket for the current performance or for future theater performances. In the event of a performance being canceled, it will also be possible to return the ticket here or find out when the canceled performance will be given. The administrator's window is also located there.
Administrator- a member of the theater team responsible for the organizational side and the daily work of cashiers, ushers and other theater personnel, often also for providing free or discount tickets on and during a particular performance; responsible for compliance with the rules and safety precautions while the audience is in the theater. After passing through the second door, you find yourself in the theater foyer.
Neskl., Wed. A room in the theater (cinema, circus) for the audience to stay before the start of the performance, session, performance, as well as for the public to relax during the intermission. From the foyer on the ground floor you can access the cloakroom.
- a room or a specially designated space in the entrance lobby, where spectators can leave outerwear, hats, umbrellas (etc.) for storage during the performance. If the theater building contains several floors, then the foyer will be present on each of them.
And so you enter the room. Before you is a stage and rows of chairs that "diverge" from it in rows and tiers. How to figure out where to go? On the one hand, the administrators in the hall will always help you. On the other hand, here are our hints: the rows of seats that are closest to the stage are called the stalls, followed by the amphitheater, around them and slightly higher are boxes and a mezzanine, above them there is a balcony in tiers.
Parterre(fr. parterre - on the ground) - the lower floor of the auditorium in the theater with seats for the public in the space from the stage or from the orchestra to the opposite wall or to the amphitheater. The ancestor of the stalls was a bench for senators in theaters ancient rome. In the 17th century, after the appearance of a tiered theater building, the stalls also changed, taking on more modern look. Parterre was intended for the lower class, so for a long time did not have seating - the spectators of the stalls had to watch the performance while standing. Seating in the stalls appeared in early XVII century in private indoor theaters in England. Then the seats were arranged as needed. Currently, the seats are most often arranged in rows that rise from the stage to the amphitheater and are parallel to the edge of the stage. The seats are separated by walkways to exit the stalls.
Amphitheater- these are places for spectators behind the stalls, located in a towering semicircle.
Lodge- this is a separate, in the form of a small internal balcony, room in the auditorium, intended for several spectators. Lodges, as a rule, are located on the sides and behind the stalls, on tiers, as well as on the sides of the proscenium or adjacent to the orchestra pit (such lodges are called "benoir"). Characterized by insufficient view of the scene; sometimes used for lighting equipment.
Mezzanine- places in the auditorium, as a rule, located in a semicircle or along a curved line, behind and above the stalls and the amphitheater. Sometimes considered as a balcony of the first tier of the theatre.
Balcony- these are places for spectators located above the stalls, in different tiers of the auditorium. Note: often English Literature the word "balcony" means a balcony of the first tier. You took your seat and froze in anticipation of the performance ...
The definitions of the terms presented are taken from the websites.
We are accustomed to referring to the statement of the classic, which says: "The theater begins with a hanger", although many believe that the most important thing in the temple of Melpomene is auditorium. After all, the location of the seats plays a key role in whether special person from watching the performance, or he will never be able to really see and hear anything. Therefore, in order to avoid incidents, spoiled mood and disappointment, before buying tickets, you must clearly define where in the theater best places. Of course, the most successful options will cost a lot of money, but a compromise solution can always be found. It is only necessary to take into account several factors that can simplify the task. We'll talk more about this later.
Comfort was not always valued
The people constantly demand spectacles, emotions and a holiday. At all times, it was the theater that gave him such an opportunity. After all, here you can enjoy the acting, admire the action that unfolds on the stage, mentally immerse yourself in a world where reality is intertwined with fiction. But it was not always as convenient to be in the place of the spectator as it is today. This was not given special significance, and the main factor was the event itself. Fans of the street arenas of the Middle Ages could watch what was happening only standing in front of the stage (in the stalls) or from the height of their balcony.
The same names were used with the advent of dramaturgical halls with a roof and walls, and others were added to them - an amphitheater, mezzanine, lodges. Comfort has become a priority, so for modern connoisseurs of art, the question of which seats are the best in the theater remains the main one when planning the next release. Let's try to understand this interesting question.
If you are a beginner and are not familiar with the features and layout of auditoriums, without which it is impossible to establish the best seats in the theater, do not be discouraged - this obstacle is easily eliminated. To begin with, take into account that all the arenas of the world have a certain similarity. Russia is no exception, where the buildings were erected according to approximately the same plan, differing only architectural styles, which depended on the specifics of the work of the troupe.
The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a landing zone is its functionality. Second, what type of performance do you prefer (musical, drama, ballet, opera, concert). And the third is your personal characteristics, vision and hearing.
Simply put, the best seats in the theater can be secured by setting the priority of a single visual area for viewing a particular production, taking into account one's own personality. Based on this, we offer you some practical advice.
Emphasis on the location of the spectator areas
There are people who, in principle, do not care where to sit, but if you are not one of them, try to remember the following: all seating areas are clearly separated, their number, if the theater is large, reaches five:
- parterre;
- amphitheater;
- mezzanine;
- balconies;
- lodges.
Each of them has its own advantages and specifics, which we will now consider, and then we will conclude where the best seats are in the theater.
Parterre - the territory located directly in front of the stage, in sufficient proximity to it, but at a lower level. Many are convinced that the front rows are the most prestigious and have a very good location. But this is not entirely true, because, being below the stage, it is inconvenient to watch what is happening, especially when there is an orchestra pit in front. But if you want to feel like an accomplice in the performance, the stalls in this regard will be an ideal place.
An amphitheater (literally translated “around the theater”) is an area located behind the stalls and separated from it by a passage. It can rise slightly to level with the stage for excellent visibility and sound. Therefore, in terms of comfort, the amphitheater is universal. It is suitable both for connoisseurs of ballet and for supporters of large-scale actors performances.
The mezzanine (translated as “beautiful floor”) is a tier that is located above the amphitheater, it is well suited for lovers of musicals, opera or operetta, as excellent audibility is guaranteed here. But in order to have a good look at the dramatic production, you will have to get binoculars.
Binoculars will also come in handy when buying tickets to the balcony, which occupies a position above the mezzanine.
The best places in the theater are boxes, which are fenced-off rooms that rise on both sides of the stalls and are designed for several people. A performance of any character will look wonderful here, you just have to spend a lot on buying a ticket. Not to mention the Benoir box - the general (royal) box, located on a tier right in front of the stage with best view and increased level security. Everything here is designed for important, honored guests.
There is also such a thing as a gallery, or a rayek, - this is the place most distant from the main action. It is located on the topmost tier and is suitable for the public, which does not pretend to special comfort and wants to save some money.
Decide on the type of presentation
In addition to highlighting the advantages of each visual area, it will be much easier to figure out which seats are the best in the theater after the choice of the type of dramatic art has been made.
If you like opera, then chase expensive tickets not worth it. Even sitting in the middle of the second or third tiers, you won't miss anything. For ballet, the center is mainly important, otherwise the picture as a whole cannot be perceived. So the middle of the balcony is a good fit.
In the Philharmonic, it is very noisy in the front rows, which can even adversely affect your hearing. Therefore tickets for symphony concerts take seats away from the stage.
In the dramatic arena, too, do not strive for the front rows. So, the middle of the stalls, the amphitheater in this case will be the best solution.
We take into account the peculiarities of our perception
If you don’t want to leave without the expected impressions, then first, when choosing seats and buying tickets, think about your individual features. If, for example, you have certain hearing problems, then the performance will be perceived badly from the gallery. It will only get worse if, with farsightedness, you sit in the front row, and with myopia, sit on the balcony. Therefore, focus on what will be convenient and acceptable specifically for you.
Advice for those planning a visit to the Mariinsky Theater
Interested in the Mariinsky Theatre? You won't have to choose the best places in terms of audibility, the sound is good everywhere. But if you want to consider the artists in detail, then the benoir is exactly what you need. Indeed, in the stalls, sitting in the front rows, you will have to throw your head high, and in the far, located at a considerable distance, the effect of the performance will not please. In terms of the combination of price and comfort, the best seats in the Mariinsky Theater, in addition to the royal box, are on the first and second tiers in the center. True, an additional optical tool will not be superfluous.
Dreaming of a visit to the Bolshoi Theatre? Then be prepared for expensive tickets and limited comfort. Even on elevated tiers, problems can arise: you will have to follow the performance while standing, otherwise the events on the stage will not be visible. According to many, the best places in Bolshoi Theater, excluding "biting" in price, is the middle of the stalls. The review is excellent, and other people's heads do not interfere.
We make the final decision
Ignore minor inconveniences, try to focus on the meaning of what is happening on stage, enjoy the magical moment of touching real art, relax and have fun!
From the hanger, the main thing in it is the auditorium. And in the hall itself there is a stage and seats for the audience, respectively.
Since antiquity, the theater has undergone tremendous changes. But its essence remained the same, because any theater is primarily a spectacle. And every spectacle presupposes a spectator, who, in turn, wants the spectacle to be as comfortable as possible. The viewer at all times was not indifferent to what place he would occupy in front of the stage.
Parterre and balcony
The prototype of the location, and hence the names of spectator places, appeared in medieval street theaters who had scaffolds of a farce type.
Due to persecution, theaters did not have their own premises at that time.
Most of the spectators stood in front of the stage and stood watching the game. This place and grounds. However, residents of the surrounding houses could watch the performance from their balconies. This is how the balcony was born.
With the advent of theater halls, these street halls have successfully migrated under the roof. True, the seats in the stalls still remained standing for a long time and were intended for people of the lower classes. Only under the influence of ideas french revolution spectator seats in the stalls.
The balconies are located in different tiers opposite the stage or on the sides of the stalls. One of their varieties was the amphitheater. He was also facing, going up in smooth ledges.
Lodges and gallery
But the most honorable place in the theatrical auditorium, no doubt, belongs to the lodges. Unlike a balcony, this is already a fenced-off room on a tier.
A special place among them is occupied by the general () box. It is usually located opposite the stage with the most convenient view for the audience. In addition, she is a kind of PR for her special visitors and enhance their safety.
Important people in the general box are perfectly visible from anywhere in the hall. And for security reasons, it has a separate entrance.
Benoir - located in one of the tiers on the sides of the stalls. This row of boxes is usually at or just below the level of the stage. The mezzanine is located above the benoir and the amphitheater.
According to their size and shape, theater boxes are divided into two types - Italian and French. The Italian type of lodges is more deepened inside. Thus, he allows those in such a box not to be too noticeable to the rest of the public. French lodges, on the contrary, allow their inhabitants to demonstrate themselves as much as possible.
And, finally, there is a gallery, or rayek, in the auditorium. A favorite place for the unassuming theatrical comfort of the public. The seats here are located in the uppermost tier. They are as far away from the stage as possible, but they are the cheapest.
It is believed that the theater begins with a hanger. But this aphorism is far from the truth. In fact, the theater begins with the purchase of tickets. Which seat in the auditorium to choose to fully enjoy the opera, ballet or performance? Price is not always a measure of quality. For example, the first seats in the stalls are always expensive, but the spectator sitting there hears not the voices of the actors, but the sounds from the orchestra pit; throughout the performance he must sit with his head up, and what is happening prevents him from seeing the back of the conductor's head. Before buying tickets, it doesn’t hurt to figure out what the mezzanine in the theater, benoir, stalls, amphitheater, box, balcony and gallery are. Our article will introduce you to the intricacies of the structure of the auditorium.
What does the theater look like
Of course, the temples of Melpomene are different. There are small ones, the auditorium of which consists only of the stalls and the first tier. There are theaters with peculiarities, for example, with the “royal box”, the decorative stucco molding of which closes the view of the audience from below. There are halls without stalls, where each row is higher than the previous one (the so-called amphitheater). But here we will give a diagram of the classical theater. So, right in front of the stage, just below it, is the stalls. Immediately behind it is the amphitheater. On both sides of the stage, at its level or slightly higher, there are two boxes, called the benoir. The name comes from the French baignoire - a bath. The fact is that these lodges are closed by a frequent mesh, which causes a certain intimacy. It prevents the viewers sitting there from seeing, but in no way interferes with the view of the latter.
On the same level with the stalls along the wall there are boxes with a separate entrance. Where is the mezzanine in the theater? It is located above the stalls. And even over the amphitheater. In some buildings on the same level there is a "royal" box. Above the mezzanine are the first, second and third tiers. The topmost of them is called a gallery or a rack.
The word itself comes from architecture. In rich houses, the second floor, located above the basement, was decorated more than others. The first tier usually housed the kitchen and utility rooms. On the third - bedrooms, offices, boudoirs. On the fourth floor, if there was one, were the servants' quarters. But the second tier was the front. There were ballrooms, living rooms, reception rooms. Sometimes a grand staircase led directly to the mezzanine. The term bel étage, as we see, consists of two words. Its literal translation is "beautiful floor". This second tier of a rich house was magnificent not only inside, but also outside. It was decorated with large windows, stucco and beautiful decoration. And what is the mezzanine in the theater? The photos show that this term in the temple of Melpomene bears the same semantic load, as in the architecture of the house. It's not just the second tier. The mezzanine, as a rule, is also the most beautiful.
Problems related to location in different parts of the visual range
Even if you know what a mezzanine is like in a theater, this is not a guarantee that you will buy the best seats. Here the type of the auditorium matters; the design of the rows (sometimes steep and high sides interfere with the review); acoustics (sound holes, etc.). Theatergoers have information that sometimes good visibility is accompanied by poor hearing, and vice versa. Therefore, for the ballet you need to purchase one place (first tier, benoir), and for the opera - completely different (mezzanine floor, stalls from the fifth row onwards, an amphitheater, lodges). At symphonic orchestral performances, the sound is well revealed in general on the second tier.
At chamber concerts it is better to sit not far, but not close to the stage, but always in the middle. But the mezzanine is considered the best part auditorium. Even if the theater is not famous for its acoustics, the sound carries forward from the stage and slightly upwards. So the audience of the most beautiful tier can enjoy the opera without any disturbance. Visibility there is also excellent, since the second floor allows you to see all the action from above and, unlike the gallery, without the help of binoculars.
What are the best seats in the mezzanine theater
As you can see, this “beautiful tier” has an advantage both in terms of the view of the stage and in terms of audibility. But since the floor runs along the entire back wall of the theatre, it's important to know which seats to buy. And this already depends on the structure of each particular auditorium. Take, for example, the Mariinsky Theatre, the Old Stage.
Here the mezzanine is divided into boxes. Ticket prices, to put it mildly, "bite". It is best seen and heard from the first row of the central boxes. Cells 11 and 12 offer excellent visibility. And from the second row too. The review is quite noticeably hindered decorative ornaments"royal lodge". Also, do not buy tickets for the mezzanine next to the benoirs. These boxes are equipped with columns that block part of the stage for the audience. In the new hall Mariinsky Theater there are several "blind spots", but this does not apply to the mezzanine. Visibility and hearing are wonderful.
Mikhailovsky Theater
This temple of culture also has a classical auditorium. All the elements are there: the stalls, mezzanine, benoir and three tiers with boxes. Music lovers here also argue that the sound and the view in Mikhailovskoye are in conflict. In addition, there is the notorious "royal box" here. The hall in the Mikhailovsky Theater is small. Therefore, the roundness of the tiers at a large angle leads to poor visibility in the side areas. Knowing what a mezzanine is in a theater, one must also understand that the ideal contemplation of the action and the enjoyment of sounds without extraneous interference are achievable only in places in the center (directly opposite the stage).
State Variety Theater
With all the interesting productions on this stage, the audience unanimously scolded the layout of the auditorium. Many people know that the best places are located on the “beautiful tier”. Therefore, they buy tickets to the mezzanine of the Variety Theater. How can you see the stage from there? If you sit in the center, it's still tolerable. But the sound is distorted. To the left and right of the center, the mezzanine is completely unsuitable for theatrical productions.
According to viewers, it is convenient to hide there, as some columns, sides and other barriers rise. As a result, you can see only a small piece of the scene, and even then from the first row. The sound comes through an unintelligible, intermittent, continuous inarticulate rumble. The best places in State theater stages - this is the stalls.
parterre- on the ground) - the lower floor of the auditorium in the theater with seats for the public in the space from the stage or from the orchestra to the opposite wall or to the amphitheater.The ancestor of the stalls was the bench for senators in the theaters of ancient Rome. In the 17th century, after the appearance of a tiered theater building, the stalls also changed, taking on a more modern look. The parterre was intended for the lower class, so for a long time it did not have seats - the spectators of the parterre had to watch the performance while standing. Seating in the stalls appeared at the beginning of the 17th century in private indoor theaters in England. Then the seats were arranged as needed. Stationary rows were first designed by the architect Claude Ledoux for a theater in Besançon.
Currently, the seats are most often arranged in rows that rise from the stage to the amphitheater and are parallel to the edge of the stage. The seats are separated by walkways to exit the stalls.
see also
Sources
Literature
- Lukomsky G. ancient theaters and traditions in the history of the evolution of the theater building. Saint Petersburg, 1913
- Barkhin G. Architecture of the theater. M.: "Architecture", 1947
- Vinogradov V. Theater buildings yesterday, today, tomorrow. M., 1971
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See what "Parterre (theater)" is in other dictionaries:
Parterre (theatre)- Parterre (French parterre, from par to and terre land) in a theater building, cinema, concert hall, the floor plane of the auditorium (usually rising from the stage to the back rows) with seating for the audience. In the ancient Roman theater P. central ... ...
Parterre- (fr. parterre on the ground): Parterre (wrestling) wrestling in a prone position, sitting or kneeling. Parterre (park) open part of a garden or park (in a regular park, plots correct form, in landscape in the form of lawns) with ... ... Wikipedia
PARTER- (fr.). 1) part of the theater hall below the level of the stage, with seats for spectators, also the spectators themselves. 2) the lower floor of the house. 3) a part of the garden planted with flowers. Dictionary foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. GROUND LOW ... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
- (from the Greek thyatron a place for spectacles, a spectacle), a type of architectural building intended for theatrical performances. First theater buildings presumably appeared in the 6th century. BC e. in Ancient Greece. They were open and... Art Encyclopedia
THEATRE- THEATER, theater, husband. (Greek theatron). 1. only units Art, consisting in the image, the representation of something in persons, carried out in the form of a public spectacle. Music and theater are his strongest hobbies. Soviet era big time... Dictionary Ushakov
PARTER- [te], stalls, pl. no, husband. (French parterre, lit. on the ground) (theatre). 1. The lower floor of the auditorium with seats for the public in the space from the stage or from the orchestra to the opposite wall or to the amphitheater. Place in the stalls. In the fifth row ... ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov
The Secretaryov Theater- (also secretary theater, "Secretaryovka" Moscow theater Hall in the XIX century in a building at the present address Nizhny Kislovsky lane, No. 6. History The building of 1860, at first belonged to a family of hereditary high-ranking ... ... Wikipedia
Great Soviet Encyclopedia
I Theater (from the Greek théatron a place for spectacles; spectacle) a kind of art (See Art). Like other art, T. form public consciousness, it is inseparable from the life of the people, its national history and culture. The rise or fall of T., development ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
It seems that the theater as a spectacular institution has not changed since the last century. Even theatrical premises of a century and a half ago are used as before. Yes, the stage (except for the revolving circle), the auditorium, the foyer remained ... ... Encyclopedia of Russian life XIX century
