It would seem that everything is simple: a large room, rows of chairs, a stage, a bright light. In fact, the auditorium is much more complicated, and we will try to tell you exactly how.
Scene
In modern theaters, a box stage is often used. It got its name due to the fact that it is a space closed on three sides, and the fourth side facing the hall. The architectural arch that connects the stage and the auditorium is called a portal, and the space inside the "box" is called a mirror.
The stage area is usually divided as follows:
- proscenium - front;
- scene - the main part;
- backstage - back.
Decorations are stored on the rear stage, stage mechanisms, lighting elements, and so on are placed.
A curtain
The purpose of this element does not need to be explained - it separates the stage from the auditorium. There are several types of theater curtains. The following types are distinguished: intermission-sliding, lifting-lowering, Italian, Austrian, Venetian, Roman, French, Brecht's curtain, Wagner's curtain, openwork, walk-through, folding and fireproof.
They differ from each other both in texture, and in appearance, and in the way the scene is opened, and in the nature of the movement.
Auditorium
The dimensions of the auditoriums cannot be chosen only on the basis of the estimated capacity. It is necessary to take into account many other parameters, in particular: the dimensions of the stage portal, the volume of air, the angle of elevation of the seats and the angle of view in the vertical plane.
There can be no more than three tiered tiers in the auditorium (this does not include balconies). If there is a wide aisle in front of the stage, then the number of rows should be distributed as follows:
- the group of seats closest to the stage - no more than 7 rows;
- the group of seats farthest from the stage - no more than 6 rows;
- other groups - no more than 5 rows.
It should be borne in mind that the number of seats in groups with seven and five rows should be approximately the same. The farthest group of seats must necessarily have a connection with the exit behind it, and not just with the side exits.
Components of the auditorium:
- Parterre. On this lower floor of the hall there are places for the public. Directly between the stalls and the stage is the orchestra pit. Initially, the stalls did not even have seats, as it was intended for the lower class. Today, on the contrary, the stalls are one of the most popular places in the auditorium.
- Orchestra pit. This is a small room in front of the stage, located below the main level of the hall. From the name it is clear that it serves to accommodate the orchestra. The length of the orchestra pit is usually equal to the length of the stage portal.
- Amphitheater. This is the name of the main part of the auditorium, where the seats are arranged in tiers. Unlike the stalls, where all the seats are on the same level.
- Balcony. Depending on the size of the theater, there may be several tiers of balconies. In the past, nobility was located here, but today the seats in this part of the hall may differ in cost. The fact is that balconies far from the stage lose both in terms of viewing comfort and sound quality. Cheap tickets are sold for seats in the upper tier.
RATKO specialists know everything about the arrangement of auditoriums. These are high-level professionals, ready to equip any hall to the highest standard. Give us a call or ask questions using the online contact form.
Dear friends! Of course, you know that for productive work you need to be able to relax. One of the pleasant and cultural ways of recreation has long been considered a visit to the theater. But behind the first doors, in the lobby, we find ourselves in a world full of secrets and mysteries. In the truest sense of the word. 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?
Theater(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 find ourselves in the lobby.
I, m. public. In many theaters, it is in the lobby that the box office and the administrator's window are located.
IN 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 reduced tickets for 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 the bench for senators in the theaters of Ancient Rome. In the 17th century, after the appearance of a tiered theatrical 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 audience of the parterre had to watch the performance standing up. 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. 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 in English literature, the word "balcony" refers to the 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.
A good theatergoer knows what performances to watch, an excellent theatergoer knows from what place any performance will seem brilliant. We offer you to figure out which seats to choose when buying a ticket to the theater.
Modern acting often implies an unexpected arrangement of spectators and actors in space. However, most metropolitan venues prefer the traditional hall layout, where it is easy enough to choose the right seat by following simple rules.
The most important thing for any performance, be it a classical opera, Chekhov's comedy or a plastic performance, is to make the viewer feel comfortable, to be able to see and hear everything. In each theater, the hall scheme is divided into several zones. In the largest hall, their number can reach five. This includes the stalls, the amphitheater, mezzanine, balcony and box.
Scheme of the hall of the Bolshoi Theater
Parterre
The lower floor of the auditorium is located closest to the stage. When choosing seats in the stalls, you should pay attention that seats in the front row will cost more, but not all theaters will have a better view from them. In most cases, viewers have to watch the whole action with their heads up. In addition, extraneous behind-the-scenes noise is perfectly audible from the first row.
If you are going to a classical production, for example, to a ballet, give preference to the so-called "director's" - the eighth row. From here you will see an excellent picture enclosed in a frame, which is commonly called the stage portal. However, keep in mind that every theater has a "sound pit" that is roughly between the fifth and tenth rows. Here the sound flies over the viewer.
Photo courtesy of coronatours. Parterre La Scala
Amphitheater
The area immediately behind the stalls is called the amphitheater, and usually rises above the stalls with small ledges. In fact, the first rows of the amphitheater can be considered the most comfortable. Here the viewer gets an excellent overview, audibility and the opportunity to simultaneously see all the action.
Photo from the Belcanto website. Opera Garnier in Paris
mezzanine and balcony
The mezzanine is located one tier above the stalls and the amphitheater. A balcony is everything that is on the tiers above the mezzanine. From the first rows, an excellent view of the stage opens up, but it will no longer be possible to examine the stage in detail. However, these places are ideal for listening to operas, operettas and musicals.
Photo courtesy of nrfmir. Hall of the Mariinsky Theater
Lodge
Separate parts of the hall, which are located on the tiers on the sides of the stalls, are called lodges. They are an individual hall for several people with a separate entrance. Traditionally, representatives of high society were here, not only to watch the performance, but also to show themselves. Until now, these seats remain the most expensive and most inconvenient, since the stage is not fully visible, and for the most part the performance has to be watched half-turned.
Photo from mosmonitor website. Lodges of the Bolshoi Theater
Blackbox
In modern theaters, a new hall layout is more common - a “blackbox” or a transforming hall. The director, based on his idea, can arrange the chairs in any way. Often the first row is on the same level with the actors and the viewer enters the space of the play. In order not to miscalculate with visibility, take tickets in the center of the hall, to the good old "director's" row.
Photo courtesy of meyerhold. Blackbox at CIM
The names of the rows in the theater:
Just behind the stage in order go parterre, amphitheatre, mezzanine and balcony. The approximate distribution of the rows is as follows:
This large auditorium plan KTZ Palace on Yauza, on which you can see not only the location, but also the names of all the rows.
the closest rows to the stage are the stalls. Following them is an amphitheater, a little higher - mezzanine (if they are provided for in the design of this building). And then the balcony
The auditorium in the theater is traditionally divided into 4 parts: parterre, amphitheater, mezzanine And balcony.
Parterre this is the lowest part of the auditorium, located directly in front of the stage and the orchestra pit, if the theater has one.
mezzanine called the lower tier of balconies located above the amphitheater.
Spectator seats located above the mezzanine are called balcony. Balconies are divided into tiers, 1st, 2nd tier, etc.
Also, many theaters have lodges. Benoir stocks or just benoir located on both sides of the stalls at stage level or slightly below. There are also mezzanine boxes, located above the benoir, and boxes of the 1st, 2nd and other tiers.
The topmost row and the farthest row in the theatre, where prices are the lowest, is often referred to as the galley. The closest rows to the stage in the theater are the stalls. Behind the parterre is the amphitheater, but above the amphitheater the mezzanine follows.
The rows in the theater from the very first to the last are distributed among the four spaces of the theater. This is a parterre, an amphitheater, mezzanine and a balcony.
On the sides of the stage, there are tiered boxes of the benoir, mezzanine and balcony.
In theaters built in the 19th century, there are multi-tiered balconies.
In provincial theaters, it happens that there is no amphitheater and (or) mezzanine. Accordingly, the boxes of the benoir and mezzanine.
Personally, I know well where they are only parterre And balcony. I know from the cinemas, in my opinion, there is nothing else besides the stalls and the balcony.
Parterre are the front seats.
Mezzanine- in my opinion, these are the rear seats, which are slightly raised by a high step and thus separated from the ground seats.
On the sides there are also small balconies, which were called lodges. Now, I found out on the Internet that the exact name benoir box.
Balcony located behind and, as it were, above the mezzanine, on the second floor.
According to the generally accepted classification, the rows in the theater are called as follows. The closest to the stage is the stalls. Next comes the amphitheater, even higher - the mezzanine, and of course, the balcony. The top rows are often called a galley.
The closest places to the stage directly opposite are not called the stalls. Behind him rise the seats of the amphitheater. On the sides of the parterre, slightly rising above it, are the boxes of the benoir. The second floor opposite the stage is a balcony, the side seats of the second floor are called mezzanine boxes. Even higher - gallrka, the cheapest places.
If earlier in front of the stalls, in which they did not sit, but stood, there were seats in armchairs (Onegin walks between the chairs on his legs), today all the seats in the stalls are seated.
Then, for example, in the Mariinsky Theater, there are benoir boxes, then mezzanine boxes, and only then - tiers, there are three of them in the Mariinsky Theater, and in the Alexandrinsky Theater, for example, 4 tiers, there is no benoir in this theater.
In the middle of the tier there may be places with the name balcony, by the way, these are the best places to watch ballet performances. When I buy ballet tickets, I first of all look to see if there are any seats in the middle of the 2nd tier balcony. Great visibility and reasonable prices.
The upper tier used to be called a gallery or district committee. Today, tier 3 (of course, preferably the middle of it) - these are the most affordable prices, as a rule, they are occupied by students. My school years passed exactly on the 3rd tier. But once I listened to the Masquerade Ball from the Tsar's box.
I often go to the theater, if the tickets for the performance are inexpensive, then I buy in the stalls - these are the seats that go straight from the stage or the orchestra pit to the opposite wall, the back rows of the stalls are called an amphitheater, they are separated by a passage. If it's a little expensive, then I buy on the balcony. The balcony has several tiers: the lower tier is called the mezzanine, then there are the first and second tier balconies.
There are also separate places that are directly above the stage to the left and right - the box.
The names of places in the theater have migrated from street show performances with stages. Spectators then simply stood on the street, on the ground, hence the name stalls. From the neighboring houses from the balconies, one could also watch the performance, as the places in the indoor theaters that appeared later began to be called.
It's just that different balconies got their names - mezzanine, amphitheater, galley.
Previous speakers have repeatedly said that the rows of seats from the orchestra seats to the opposite wall are called the stalls. Why are they called that? Precisely because not on the balcony, but on the ground - in French parterre, on the ground. If we take into account that the farthest cheap ones - the upper balcony rows, the galley - are called the district, and in English also the gods (gods) and paradise (paradise), including the French themselves - paradis, then the antithesis of heaven and earth becomes clear in the structure of the theatrical universe.
In this photo of the Odessa Opera House, the stalls are clearly visible - in the very center of the photo.
I foresee fair questions. And why exactly in the Bolshoi and what does "comfortable" mean? The answers to these questions lie on the surface.
Convenient - these are spectator seats, the viewing angle of the stage from which will be as complete as possible. At the same time, for comfortable viewing of the performance from such places, the viewer should not need to use additional optical means (binoculars).
And the Bolshoi Theatre, because having become familiar with the peculiarities of its architecture, a potential spectator in any city and in any theater will be able to easily make the right choice when buying a ticket.
To begin with, we will need to conduct a small "educational program" on the main 
concepts in theater architecture. If the reader has known all this for so long, this section can be skipped.
So, parterre (fr) - the word is formed from two words par - by and terre - earth. In total, we get on the ground. In practice, these are rows of spectator seats facing the stage. The seats in the parterre, starting from the orchestra pit or from the stage, go all the way to the amphitheater.
Amphitheater - rows of seats located in a semicircle with constantly rising ledges and located directly behind the stalls.
Benoir lodges are balconies located just below or at the level of the stage, on the right and left sides of it. (in the photo one of these boxes can be seen at the stalls level, in the lower left corner)
We rise above the mezzanine. Belle - in French, however, as in some other European languages - beautiful, beautiful. (photo taken from mezzanine)
Tier - one of the middle or upper floors in the auditorium (everything above the mezzanine)
The balcony is an amphitheater of spectator seats on various tiers.
Lodge - a group of seats in the auditorium (around the stalls and on the tiers), separated by partitions or barriers.
The gallery is the topmost tier of the auditorium.
So, we got acquainted with some concepts of theatrical 
architecture and we can start looking for the best viewing places. Let's start in order, from the stalls.
Here, it would seem, everything is clear - the stalls are the best and most expensive places. But don't jump to conclusions. On one of the sites, I happened to come across a post by a viewer who visited the Mikhailovsky Theater. It reports that having bought tickets for the back rows of the stalls, people had to stand the whole performance in order to see anything. In fact, sitting in the stalls, we have the most complete view of the stage. But the farther away our seats are, the more difficult it is for us to see the actors, but the backs of the heads of the spectators with more expensive tickets are very clearly visible. In some theaters, this problem is already solved at the construction stage.
The parterre is built at a slight angle, which increases as it approaches the back rows.
The amphitheater - everything would be fine, but it's too far away. The only consolation is that the coat in the wardrobe for binoculars will be given without a queue.
The mezzanine and the boxes of the benoir are quite convenient places. But even here it is necessary 
Be careful. It is clear that when looking at the scene from the box, not 
located in the center relative to the stage, the viewer's eye cannot fully capture everything that happens on the stage. As a rule, the spectators sitting on the balconies of the right side have a very good view of the left side of the stage, but the right side of the stage is poorly visible and vice versa. At the same time, in some theaters, in addition, the back of the stage is also poorly visible. Attention should also be paid to the fact that, as a rule, the seats in all theater boxes are located in two or three rows. Accordingly, the viewing angle of the scene in the first row is slightly larger than in the third. In 2011, an unpleasant incident occurred at the Bolshoi Theater on the new stage. Spectators who bought tickets for the extreme seats in the mezzanine were dissatisfied with the fact that they saw almost nothing from their seats. Having been refused a refund, they sued the theater.
Tier - there are four of them in the Bolshoi Theater! Certainly not worth buying. 
tickets for the fourth tier if you have a fear of heights. Face to face with the muses, you may begin to feel a little dizzy. Needless to say, rising from tier to tier higher and higher, prices fall lower and lower?
Now about the main thing, about buying tickets. Their price ranges from one and a half to forty or more thousand. What does it depend on? First, of course, from the performance. A lot is important here. For example, the audience goes to the ballet more willingly than to the opera. Many go "on names." Premiere performances always cost more. Secondly, of course, from the location of the places. To help the public select the right ticket, many theater box offices have charts showing "convenient" and "uncomfortable" seats. Thirdly, where, from whom and how long before the performance you purchase tickets.
The Bolshoi Theater starts pre-sale of tickets for all performances three months before they start. In order to order them, you must send an application to the address [email protected], which must be sent no later than the day preceding the one on which the pre-sale of tickets for the selected performance opens, but not earlier than fifteen days before the start of the pre-sale. The pre-sale schedule can be found here http://www.bolshoi.ru/visit/. The application must contain:
- Surname.
- Passport ID.
- The name of the show.
- Date and time when the performance will be shown.
- Number of seats, no more than TWO.
An accepted application must receive a response by e-mail confirming that the APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED (the application is not ordered 
reservation) and processed by the cashier in the presence of the applicant.
When buying a ticket on request, you must name the date and time of the performance, last name and present your passport to the cashier. (The passport number and surname indicated in the application will also be indicated on the ticket.)
Advance ticket sales are available from 11:00 to 15:00. From 4 p.m., the tickets remaining from the preliminary sale go on free sale (theater box offices, the Internet, city theater box offices and agencies).
When visiting the theater, you will need to present a passport.
In the theatre
there is a program "Big - for students", according to which
full-time students of universities can purchase tickets worth one hundred rubles for theater performances. The sale of such tickets opens at 17.30 at the second box office located in the directorate building. Sale and entrance to the theater - upon presentation of a student card.
For performances on the Main (historical) stage, sixty tickets are allocated for students; for performances shown on the New Stage - thirty tickets each.
Beneficiaries, upon presentation of documents confirming their benefits, can also purchase tickets worth one hundred rubles.
One hundred and sixty-one tickets are allocated for performances on the New Stage, and five hundred and eighteen tickets for the Main Stage.
But that's not all! Now, in order to visit the Bolshoi Theater, which opened after reconstruction, it is not necessary to buy a ticket for the performance!!!
At twelve o'clock in the afternoon there are one-hour tours of the theater (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Tickets are sold at the box office located in the historical building of the theater (twelfth entrance) on the day of the tour. The ticket price is five hundred rubles. For schoolchildren, full-time students and beneficiaries, the price is two hundred and fifty rubles. No more than fifteen tickets are sold for the tour.
Group visits can be requested by email.
[email protected]
The article uses information from the official website of the Bolshoi Theater
