From the stalls to the balcony: where are the best seats in the theater. Theater stalls What was the first row in the theater called before?

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 spectator seats appeared 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 the stage, going upward in smooth ledges.

Boxes and gallery

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

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

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.

As the classic said, “the theater begins with a hanger.” Although, to put it even more precisely, it starts from the foyer. The theater foyer is a special room that forms the viewer’s idea of ​​the theater as a whole, introduces him to theater world.

Tells the history of the theater

The theater foyer is not only a place to wait for the doors to open and spectators to be allowed into the hall, it is a room that helps you get acquainted with the history of the theater and the actors. In any self-respecting theater, in addition to posters for upcoming performances, on the walls there are portraits of actors, both honored and well-known. In the theater this place is called the “iconostasis”. A list of roles played by a particular actor and information about awards is provided. Photo portraits of the theater directors, choreographer, etc. are also placed here. The viewer who comes to the theater should not only languish in anticipation of the start of the performance under the doors of the hall, he must be captivated.

Sometimes the foyer directly serves as a venue for performances - this mainly applies to theaters intended for young spectators. In some theaters in the capital, the tradition of staging literary and musical compositions in the theater foyer is still alive, taking viewers back to the times of noble theaters.

Foyer – for relaxation

Of course, a theater foyer should be cozy and hospitable. As a rule, the foyer is decorated in a strict classic style, with oak furniture, curtains, carved chairs and small tables. It is possible to have a buffet in the foyer, but it should look harmonious and not break out of the overall style, so it should be positioned so that it is not conspicuous.

The foyer in the theater is necessarily decorated with mirrors - this is done not only for beauty, but also for the convenience of the audience, who can tidy themselves up a little after the trip. Usually in the theater foyer there is a small wall for these needs.

It is appropriate to arrange in the theater foyer thematic exhibition, timed to coincide with some holiday, for example, the birthday of A.S. Pushkin. IN major theaters organize exhibitions dedicated to the benefit famous actor.

It is considered appropriate to decorate the theater foyer with reproductions of paintings, because most of the spectators will probably want to leave the hall during the intermission and relax a little in the foyer.

Sometimes there is a grand piano in the foyer, and on special evenings the pianist plays before the start of the performance. classical works.
Thus, when decorating a theater foyer, you should adhere to the rules of classic room design, and perhaps even use the services of an experienced designer.

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. To avoid getting into trouble, MIR 24 TV channel correspondent Ekaterina Rogalskaya looked at the scene from all sides.

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.

What kind of seats are there in the auditorium?

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

Lodge

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, this is precisely why representatives came high society. The officers sat in the stalls, and the titled persons sat in separate boxes. Leo Tolstoy described this in.

The seats in the box are some of the most uncomfortable. The stage is not completely visible, and you have to watch the performance half-turned.

Edward Lewis introduces Richard Gere to the opera by purchasing 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.

Parterre

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 are cheaper and the view is better.

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.

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 what 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.

It would seem that everything is simple: a large room, rows of chairs, a stage, 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 because it is a space closed on three sides, with the fourth side facing the hall. The architectural arch connecting 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 part;
• stage - the main part;
• rear stage - back part.

Decorations are stored on the rear stage, stage mechanisms, lighting elements are placed, and so on.

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, lift-and-fall, Italian, Austrian, Venetian, Roman, French, Brecht curtain, Wagner curtain, polychinelle, walk-through, folding and fireproof.

They differ from each other both in texture and in appearance, both in the way the scene is revealed and in the nature of the movement.

Auditorium

Dimensions auditoriums You cannot choose only based on the expected capacity. It is necessary to take into account many other parameters, in particular: the dimensions of the stage portal, air cubic capacity, the elevation angle of the audience seats and the viewing angle in the vertical plane.

The auditorium can have no more than three staggered tiers (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 is no more than 6 rows;
• other groups - no more than 5 rows.

It must be taken into account 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 seats for the public. Directly between the stalls and the stage there is an orchestra pit. Initially, there were not even seats in the stalls, since 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 an orchestra. Length orchestra pit usually equal to the length of the stage portal.
• Amphitheater. This is the name given to 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, the nobility lived here, but today, seats in this part of the hall may vary in price. The fact is that balconies farther from the stage lose both in terms of viewing convenience and sound quality. Cheap tickets are sold for seats in the upper tier.

RATKO specialists know everything about the design of auditoriums. These are professionals high level, ready to equip any room to the highest standard. Call us or ask questions through the online contact form.