It would seem that everything is simple: large room, rows of chairs, stage, bright light. In fact, the auditorium is much more complicated, and we will try to tell you exactly how.

Scene

Modern theaters often use a box stage. 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;
• backstage - rear end.

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 varieties 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

The size of auditoriums cannot be selected solely on the basis of 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.

IN auditorium there can be no more than three, stepped 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 furthest group of seats in mandatory must be connected to the exit behind it, and not just to 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. The length of the orchestra pit is 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.

A good theatergoer knows what performances to watch, an excellent theatergoer knows from what point any performance will seem brilliant. We suggest you figure out which seats to choose when buying a theater ticket.

Modern acting often involves an unexpected arrangement of spectators and actors in space. However, most metropolitan venues prefer the traditional hall layout, where it is quite easy to choose right place following simple rules.

The most important thing for any performance, be it a classical opera, Chekhov's comedy or a plastic performance - so that the viewer feels comfortable, he can see and hear everything. In each theater, the layout of the hall is divided into several zones. In the very large hall their number can reach the number five. This includes the stalls, amphitheater, mezzanine, balcony and box.

Diagram of the Bolshoi Theater hall

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 first row will cost more, but not all theaters will have a better view. In most cases, the audience has to watch the entire action with their heads up. In addition, extraneous backstage noise can be clearly heard from the first row.

If you are going to a classical production, for example, 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, please note that each theater has a "sound pit" located approximately between the fifth and tenth rows. Here the sound flies over the viewer.

Photo from the coronatours website. Parterre La Scala

Amphitheater

The area located immediately behind the stalls is called the amphitheater, and as a rule 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 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 located on the tiers above the mezzanine. Opens from the first rows great view onto the stage, but it will no longer be possible to examine the scene in detail. However, these places are ideal for listening to operas, operettas and musicals.

Photo from the website nrfmir. Hall of the Mariinsky Theater

Lodge

Separate parts of the hall, which are located on tiers on the sides of the stalls, are called boxes. They are an individual room for several people with a separate entrance. Traditionally, representatives high society They were here, not only to watch the performance, but also to show themselves. Until now, these places remain the most expensive and most inconvenient, since the stage is not completely visible, and for the most part you have to watch the performance half-turned.

Photo from mosmonitor website. Bolshoi Theater boxes

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 he likes. Often the first row is on the same level as the actors and the viewer finds himself in the space of the performance. In order not to lose visibility, take tickets in the center of the hall, for the good old “director’s” row.

Photo from the meyerhold website. Blackbox at CIM

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, front row tickets are expensive, we will talk about those that represent a compromise 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 most complete view, as well as good audibility, especially when watching an opera or ballet. This is the best choice in terms of price and panoramic views. 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 fabrics for finishing. It seems that the whole hall is glowing with bright, rich colors: carpets, curtains, and chairs - everything comes together in big 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.

Avid theatergoers have long had their eye on great places in every theater. But what should those who go there rarely or who are going there for the first time do?

First, you need to decide which theater you are going to. If it was an opera house or built before the 20th century, then the presented classification is for you. If more modern place, then choose either the “director’s” eighth row, or any seat at all: you will be both visible and heard. With the exception of “blind spots,” all theaters have them, and each has its own.

Parterre

You shouldn’t look dreamily at the front rows, which are usually expensive but meaningless. During the ballet, you will clearly hear the stomping feet of the “fragile” ballerinas; during the opera, the conductor’s head will loom before your nose. During a dramatic production, there is still the option to nestle in the front rows, but this is not always useful, especially if the actors use objects “flying” in their passions, water, dust, smoke...

There is another problem in the stalls historical theaters- they are flat. The rows do not rise above each other. So, if you are short, you will have to look through the cracks between your heads. Then choose at least the first row in the horizontal aisle (if available).

Amphitheater (benoir)

The amphitheater is located just above the stalls. And these are the most precious places, although the cost can easily turn out to be cheaper than the stalls. The overview is excellent, the audibility is excellent.

Mezzanine

The mezzanine is located above the amphitheater. Translated from French it means “beautiful floor”. Often they are actually quite nice. You can see great and hear even better, so it makes no sense to expect low prices from these places.

Lodges

Boxes are one of the most expensive theatrical pleasures. Their beauty lies in their distance from the crowd. A separate entrance to a separate room - yes, it’s almost a chamber hall! But behind the high price and pretentiousness there are also inconveniences.

You have to sit half-turned, but even this will sometimes not save you from the “cut off” edge of the stage, which can only be seen by falling down. And the further you are located from the royal box, the more limited your view. And only if you are in the first row. If you have a place in the second, then seeing at least something is a matter of pure luck.

Balcony

The balcony is located at the very top, above all tiers of boxes. High, but fun. Little people running around puppet stage- a really funny sight. Therefore, if it is important for you to see the drama and feel it, do not take seats on the balcony, even though they are the cheapest. But for operas and concerts - just right. The sound there is great! Listening to Chopin while looking at the paintings and stucco on the ceiling is quite an inspiring process.

And most importantly, don’t forget about binoculars. If fate has given you a ticket to the balcony or to the high tiers, then they will save you from injustice!

An educated person needs to understand the location of seats in the theater. The earliest theaters traditionally did not have an indoor performance space. Performances for spectators were held in the open air. We watched the performance while standing. That’s why the parterre is translated from French as “on the ground.” The places here were the most democratic and cheap. Nowadays, tickets to the stalls, on the contrary, are more expensive than others.

We offer you a diagram of the seating arrangement in the theater.

How are the seats located in the theater?

The rows of seats in the stalls are arranged in groups depending on the size of the auditorium. The first group of seats, closer to the stage, has 7 rows. The very last one, closer to the amphitheater - 6 rows. Between them there are groups of seats in 5 rows. In contrast to the stalls, seats on the paradise (by analogy with “paradise” - high), or gallery - this is the part of the audience seats farthest from the stage.

The boxes of the benoir are located on both sides of the stage, but slightly lower. Lodges can be Italian or French type. In Italian, the audience is not visible from the hall, but in French, on the contrary, they allow everyone to demonstrate the toilets and appearance of those present.

Behind the groups of stall seats are the amphitheater seats. This is a group of spectator seats, with smooth ledges going up.

Above the boxes of the benoir there are balconies. They can be located in several tiers. Various theaters have two, three, less often four tiers of balconies. For example, the Mariinsky Theater has 3 tiers of balconies, and the Alexandrinsky Theater has 4.

The most comfortable seats are called the royal box. For the convenience of privileged spectators, the boxes are equipped with a separate entrance. From these places there is excellent visibility and acoustics, but visitors to the royal box can also be seen by everyone.

The scene also has zone names. The front part, closest to the audience, is called the proscenium. The very middle is the stage box, and the back of the stage box is the rear stage. The rear stage contains scenery, lighting and mechanisms for lifting stage parts.

The orchestra pit is so called because of its location below the stage area and has dimensions exactly the same as the stage, but is located much deeper than it. From the orchestra pit, the conductor directs the artists of the invisible front, creating musical arrangement performances.