The best seats are in the stalls. Best seats in the theater

From the hanger, the main thing in it is the auditorium. And in the hall itself there is, respectively, a stage and seats for spectators.

Since antiquity, the theater has undergone enormous changes. But its essence remained the same, because any theater is, first of all, 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 therefore the names of spectator seats, appeared in medieval street theaters, which had a booth-type stage.

Due to persecution, theaters did not have their own premises at that time.

Most of the spectators stood in front of the stage and watched the game while standing. This is the place and the stalls. However, residents of surrounding houses could watch the performance from their balconies. This is how the balcony appeared.

With the advent theater halls these street people have safely migrated under the roof. True, there are still seats in the stalls for a long time remained standing and were intended for people of the lower classes. Only under the influence of ideas french revolution There are 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 towards, going upward in smooth ledges.

Boxes and gallery

But the most place of honor in the theater auditorium, undoubtedly, belongs to the lodges. Unlike a balcony, this is already a fenced-off room on one tier.

A special place among them is occupied by the general () lodge. It is usually located opposite the stage with the most convenient view for the audience. In addition, it is a kind of PR for its special visitors and increasing their level of security.

The important people in the general box are clearly 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 stage level. The mezzanine is located above the benoir and amphitheater.

According to their size and shape, theater boxes are divided into two types - Italian and French. The Italian type of boxes is more recessed inward. 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 paradise, in the auditorium. A favorite place for audiences unpretentious to theatrical comfort. The seats here are located in the very top tier. They are as far away from the stage as possible, but they are the cheapest.

They say that theater begins with the hanger, but in reality it begins with the purchase of tickets. Main question- which places to choose? There are stalls, boxes, mezzanine... In some theaters there are so-called uncomfortable seats - these are where you can’t see anything and hear little. However, such inconveniences are not always warned in advance.

Some places are too far away, while from others the edge of the stage is not visible. To choose the most best places, first, let's look at the diagram of the theater hall.

The stalls are the places in the auditorium area that are closest to the stage. The amphitheater is the space immediately behind the stalls. Usually the amphitheater area is slightly above the stalls. Seats in the mezzanine are even higher. At the very top there is a balcony. On both sides of the stalls there are boxes - these are small spaces with a separate entrance.

By tradition, seats in the box are considered the most prestigious - previously only rich visitors could sit there. Each box has a separate entrance, and besides this you can not only watch the performance, but also show yourself. More than a hundred years ago, it was precisely for this reason that representatives came to the theater high society. The officers sat in the stalls, and the titled persons sat in separate boxes. Leo Tolstoy described this in Anna Karenina.

Nowadays, the beautiful Vivienne, played by Julia Roberts, is introduced to the opera by businessman Edward Lewis of Richard Gere, having bought tickets in the box. But in fact, the places there are some of the most uncomfortable. The stage is not completely visible, and you have to watch the performance half-turned.

Today, to the question “What are the best seats in the theater?” Almost everyone will answer “on the ground.” Seats in the stalls are traditionally considered the best, and they are also the most expensive. Moreover, almost every theater has a so-called “sound pit” - it is located somewhere between rows 5 and 10. There the sound literally flies over the viewer. This is especially important if you are going to the opera.

A famous film example: Bruce Willis' character Corwin Dallas in the film The Fifth Element watches the opera from the front row. Many people will not recommend taking tickets to the front rows of the stalls. It is only from afar that it seems that the artists are fluttering around the stage like butterflies, but in the first row you will hear all the extraneous noises. In addition, you will have to watch the action with your head raised, and you will still see the back of the conductor’s head in front of you.

Choose seats in the middle of the hall or a little further. Tickets there are cheaper than in the front rows, and the view is better. In addition to the stalls, real theatergoers often choose the first rows of the dress circle.

In general, the most prestigious and expensive seats in the theater do not mean the best. Sometimes even on the balcony you can see and hear everything without interference.

If you often go to the theater, of course, you already know all the intricacies of the location of seats in the auditorium, as well as which tickets are best to buy. But when planning your first viewing of the performance, it’s worth finding out how the seats are arranged so that you can clearly see the stage. Of course, tickets to the front rows are expensive; we will talk about those that represent a compromise between an affordable price and comfortable viewing. Let us dwell in detail on the definition of “mezzanine in the theatre”. What is it and how to choose a convenient place?

How are the spectator seats located?

Consider the theater in general understanding, and not any specific building. The seating arrangement is approximately the same, only the size of the auditorium differs. The closest places to the stage are called the stalls. These are the most convenient places for viewing, which affects their cost - tickets for them are the most expensive. You shouldn’t occupy the first row if there is an orchestra pit in front of the stage, then you won’t be able to see the action at all. Sometimes the chairs are installed on a flat floor, but more often the surface is sloped, so that the heads of those sitting in front do not interfere with the people sitting behind.

Beyond them, on a slight elevation, is an amphitheater located at stage level. In these places the viewer receives the widest and full review, as well as good audibility, especially when watching opera or ballet. This optimal choice in terms of price and panoramic view. Sometimes next to the stage on the sides of the stalls there are special boxes called benoir. They are often covered with a special black mesh so that people sitting inside do not interfere with the actors’ work. They are considered the most prestigious places.

Tiers and mezzanine in the theater

What is it and how are the seats above the stage located? The seating described above is complemented by tiers along the wall above stage level. Sometimes there is only one tier, and in theaters with halls large area their number reaches four. The lowest one is called the mezzanine. It's quite comfortable to sit there, but it's better not to take seats close to the stage: you'll have to turn and bend over to follow the developments. It is optimal to sit in the center, right above the amphitheater, in the first row. Tiers located high up will not allow you to see the actors without binoculars, but tickets there are the cheapest. Sometimes these places are called balconies.

Decoration of mezzanines

You may have already chosen the mezzanine area of ​​the theatre. What is it and is the stage clearly visible, you know. Let us give examples of what these tiers look like in some of Melpomene’s houses. The entire hall and stage are decorated in the same style, many carved details are finished in gold and complemented with thick, beautiful fabrics. Sometimes it's nice to go to the theater to see historical beauty. Let's take for example Mariinskii Opera House, the mezzanine of which is located above the benoir. It is illuminated by numerous chandeliers, giving it the appearance of a palace hall, white with gold trim and red seats. How else is the mezzanine decorated? The variety theater uses fabric for decoration. It seems that the whole hall is glowing with bright rich colors: carpets, curtains, and chairs - everything adds up to the overall picture, complemented by white columns and sides supporting the lower tier.

Advantages of purchasing mezzanine tickets

Having bought a ticket to one of these places, the viewer will not be disappointed. The advantages of this arrangement have already been noted: good review scenes, excellent audibility of the actors' voices and orchestral music, let's add more seating comfort. Mezzanines rarely have more than 10 rows of seats, often there are only 6-12 chairs in 2 lines, located in a small niche. But sometimes you can make a mistake with your choice, and then you have to spend the entire time of the performance on your feet in order to at least see something.

Now you will not be tormented by the question: “The mezzanine in the theater - what is it?” When buying tickets for any productions, check the visibility of all seats and their prices, and then choose the appropriate option.

When this exciting moment of visiting the theater comes, it is not difficult to get confused. After all, the difficult task of buying tickets lies ahead. How to make the right choice? Is the stalls in a theater really the most convenient and expensive area? Let's try to take a short excursion and understand what you really should choose.

What is a parterre?

The concept of "parterre" came to us from ancient Rome. In theaters of that time, located, as a rule, under open air, around the stage with the actors there were semicircular platforms filled with spectators. The audience was varied. Both wealthy and poor people stood and watched the performance. Already in late XIX centuries, there were 2 rows of seats near the stage. Behind them was a space filled with cheap-ticket audiences who enjoyed the spectacle while standing. The word “parterre” itself has French roots (par - by, terre - land) and means “on the ground”.

The general definition is as follows: stalls - seats in the theater located on the floor plane parallel to the stage and located below its level. In most theaters, the plane is slightly understood towards the back rows. This improves visibility. The stalls in the theater are considered the most sought-after and privileged place. Between the stage and the stalls there is an orchestra pit.

Pros and cons of parterre

It doesn't matter which genre you prefer. If it's a musical, dramatic play or opera, the theater stalls will allow you to:

Enjoy the richness and coherence of the musical accompaniment;

See and examine the faces and costumes of the heroes.

It should be noted that in different places on the ground these positive nuances are very individual. It all depends on technical characteristics the hall itself:

Acoustics;

Stage heights.

The disadvantages include the need to keep your head elevated.

If the acoustics of the room are not very lucky, in the front rows, as well as in the side parts of the stalls, on the contrary, the purity of the sound may be distorted. But this rarely happens. The central part of the seventh row is considered the most convenient and viewable.

In what cases do seats in the stalls really spoil the real pleasure of what is happening on stage? This can happen when the action is full-scale, where a large number of extras. The partner will not allow you to see everything that is happening in more detail, in other words, to “grab” the whole picture. This often happens in ballet performances. The genre of music can also play a role important role. The shortcomings of the stalls are felt especially acutely in the philharmonic society, and not in the theater.

In addition to all that has been said, places in the stalls impose certain obligations. This part of the hall is well visible, and many people may be looking at you. And this means that you need to look and behave accordingly.

Some performances place great emphasis on the audience. In such productions you can be not only a spectator, but also, in a sense, a participant in what is happening, because the stalls in the theater are considered as extras. Stay alert. Do not overuse perfume or cologne. Think about those sitting next to you. And if you really want to enjoy watching, you need to take care of buying tickets early. After all, the stalls in the theater are still the most convenient and desirable place for any viewer.

I foresee fair questions. Why exactly to Bolshoi and what does “convenient” mean? The answers to these questions lie on the surface.
Comfortable seats are those seats from which the viewing angle of the stage will be as complete as possible. At the same time, in order to comfortably watch the performance from such places, the viewer should not need to use additional optical means (binoculars).

A Grand Theatre, because having become familiar with the features of its architecture, a potential viewer in any city and in any theater can easily make right choice when purchasing a ticket.
To begin with, we will need to conduct a small educational program on the basic concepts in theatrical architecture. If the reader has already known all this for a long time, this section can be skipped.
So, parterre (fr) - the word is formed from two words par - by and terre - land. In total we get on the ground. In practice, these are rows of spectator seats facing the stage. Seats in the stalls starting from orchestra pit or from the stage, go all the way to the amphitheater.
Amphitheater - rows of seats arranged in a semicircle with constantly rising ledges and located directly behind the stalls.
Benoir boxes are balconies located just below or at stage level, on the right and left sides of it. (in the photograph one of these boxes can be seen at the ground level, in the lower left corner)

We rise higher to the mezzanine. Belle - in French, as well as in some other European languages ​​- beautiful, wonderful. (photo taken from the mezzanine)

Tier - one of the middle or upper floors in the auditorium (everything above the mezzanine)
The balcony is an amphitheater of seats on various tiers.
A box is a group of seats in the auditorium (around the stalls and on tiers), separated by partitions or barriers.
The gallery is the highest tier of the auditorium.
So, we have become acquainted with some concepts of theatrical architecture and we can begin to search for the best seats for spectators. Let's start in order, from the ground.

Here, it would seem, everything is clear - the stalls are the best and most expensive places. But you shouldn't make hasty conclusions. On one of the sites I came across a post from a viewer who visited Mikhailovsky Theater. It reports that having bought tickets for the back rows of the stalls, people had to stand for the entire performance to see anything. In fact, sitting in the stalls, the most full view to the stage. But the further away our seats are, the more difficult it is for us to see the actors, but the backs of the spectators’ heads are very clearly visible from more expensive tickets. In some theaters this problem is solved already at the construction stage.

The stalls are built at a slight angle, which increases as you approach the back rows.
The amphitheater would be fine, but it’s too far away. The only consolation is that they will give you a coat in the wardrobe for binoculars without waiting in line.
The mezzanine and the boxes of the benoir are quite comfortable places. But even here it is necessary Be careful. It is clear that when looking at the scene from the box, located in the center relative to the stage, the viewer’s gaze cannot fully capture everything that is happening on stage. As a rule, spectators sitting on balconies right side very visible left-hand side scenes, but the right one is poorly visible and vice versa. At the same time, in some theaters, in addition, the back of the stage is poorly visible. It should also be noted that, as a rule, the seats in all theater boxes are arranged in two or three rows. Accordingly, the viewing angle of the stage in the first row is slightly greater than in the third. In 2011, an unpleasant incident occurred on the new stage at the Bolshoi Theater. Spectators who bought tickets for the outer seats in the dress circle were dissatisfied with the fact that they saw almost nothing from their seats. Having received a refusal to return the money, they sued the theater.
Tier - there are four of them at the Bolshoi Theater! Of course you shouldn't buy tickets to the fourth tier if you have a fear of heights. When you come face to face with the muses, you may feel a little dizzy. Needless to say, as prices rise higher and higher from tier to tier, they 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? Firstly, of course, from the performance. A lot is important here. For example, spectators go to ballet more willingly than to opera. Many go "by name". Premiere performances always cost more. Secondly, of course, it depends on the location of the places. To help the public choose the right ticket, many theater box offices have charts indicating “convenient” and “inconvenient” seats. Thirdly, from where, from whom and how long before the performance you purchase tickets.

The Bolshoi Theater begins pre-sale of tickets for all performances three months before their start. In order to order them, you must send a request to the following address: [email protected], which must be sent no later than the day preceding the day 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:
- Last name.
- Passport ID.
- The name of the performance.
— The 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 is processed by the cashier in the presence of the applicant. When purchasing a ticket upon application, you must indicate the date and time of the performance, your last name and present your passport to the cashier. (The passport number and last name indicated in the application will be indicated on the ticket.) Advance ticket sales are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 16:00, the remaining tickets from the pre-sale go on free sale (theater box office, Internet, city theater box office and agencies). When visiting the theater you will need to present your passport.
In the theatre there is a program “Bolshoi 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 ticket 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 New scene,—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 taking place 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 to 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 historical building theater (entrance twelve) on the day of the excursion. 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 excursion.
An application for a group visit can be made by email.
[email protected]

The article uses information from the official website of the Bolshoi Theater