History of Theatre Architecture

Medieval Theatre

476 BCE

During the time, churches didn't have the ability to stage indoors, so they placed platform stages near the churches outside to have them outdoors. People would stand in the town square to observe the stage. If they weren't platform stages, there were also stages placed on wagons to make it easier for travel.

Theatre of Dionysus

5 BCE

Theatres date back to before 5 B.C. The first theatre built in Greece is the Theatre of Dionysus. This is where the first orchestra terrace was constructed.

1500-1650

1560

During the Renaissance, theatres became very popular. More and more theatres spread throughout Europe. Most theatres originated and were built similar to the ones in Greek and Roman Culture. As time progressed, theatres changed little by little. The Teatro Olympico, located in Vicenza, Italy, was built between the years 1580-1585. It was built in a similar style as the theatres built in Rome.

1650-1900

1650

Theatres continue to grow across Europe. As they became more popular, they started to get the style of Europe. Most theatres were rectangular with the stage located at one end of the building. Although they changed, they still managed to follow the tradition of giving a detailed background for the play and make it enjoyable for the environment.

Japanese Kabuki

1724

Japanese Kabuki updated their style of their theatres. For the first time in over 125 years, Kabuki performed outside. Long afterwards in 1724, elevator tapes were invented as well as elevator stages. This gave Kabuki the chance to do revolving stages. It was then even more complex when concentric revolving stages were invented in 1827.

Advancing the Stage

1872

Before the Argang Oil Lamp, stages would use mostly candles to light the area. Later in 1872, William Murdock had a brilliant idea of gas lighting. It was a lot brighter compared to candles and had cleaner burning. Gas lighting was a great idea but it did have a few bumps in the road. Soon enough, limelight was invented in 1816. Limelight has a brighter appearance and has a softer look than gas light. Eventually, theaters started using electric lights and by 1860, theaters were using spotlights.

Twentieth Century

1900

Theatres upgraded to a new more realistic and natural look. Multiple theatres went through a stage where they went for a more modern look to fit the current year. Also, many theatres upgraded a lot of their systems as the years went on. Everything is mostly electronic now rather than how it was in the old days.