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 not comfortable places- this is where nothing is seen and little is heard. 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?
- Parterre are places in the zone auditorium, which 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.
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 of high society came. 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.
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
The size of auditoriums cannot be selected based solely 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. 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 were located here, but today seats in this part of the hall may vary in cost. The fact is that balconies far from the stage lose both in terms of viewing convenience and sound quality. Cheap tickets are sold for seats in the upper tier.
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Row names in the theater:
Immediately behind the stage they go in order ground floor, amphitheater, mezzanine and balcony. The approximate distribution of the rows is:
This diagram of the large auditorium KTZ Palace on Yauza, on which you can see not only the location, but also the names of all rows.
The rows closest to the stage are the stalls. Following them is the amphitheater, a little higher - the mezzanine (if they are provided for in the design of the building). And then the balcony
The auditorium in the theater is traditionally divided into 4 parts: stalls, amphitheater, mezzanine And balcony.
Parterre this is the lowest part of the auditorium, located directly in front of the stage and orchestra pit, if the theater has one.
Mezzanine called the lower tier of balconies located above the amphitheater.
The spectator seats located above the dress circle are called balcony. Balconies are divided into tiers, 1st, 2nd tier, etc.
Also, many theaters have lodge. Benoir boxes or simply benoir located on both sides of the stalls at stage level or slightly below. There are also boxes on the dress circle, located above the benoir, and boxes on the 1st, 2nd and other tiers.
The topmost row and the farthest row in the theater, where the most low prices, often called galrka. The rows closest to the stage in the theater are the stalls. Next to the stalls is the amphitheater, and above the amphitheater there is a dress circle.
The rows in the theater from the very first to the last are distributed among the four spaces of the theater. These are the stalls, the amphitheater, the mezzanine and the balcony.
On the sides of the stage there are boxes in tiers for 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) dress circle. Accordingly, the boxes of the benoir and mezzanine.
Personally, I know well where they are only stalls And balcony. I know from cinemas, in my opinion there is nothing else there except the stalls and the balcony.
Parterre- these are the front seats.
Mezzanine- these are, in my opinion, the rear seats, which are slightly raised by a high step and are thus separated from the stalls.
On the sides there are also small balconies, which were called lodges. Now, on the Internet, I found out that the exact name benoir box.
Balcony is 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 usually 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 gallerka.
The closest places to the stage, directly opposite, are called the stalls. Behind him the seats of the amphitheater rise. On the sides of the stalls, slightly rising above it, are the boxes of the benoir. The second floor opposite the stage is a balcony; the side places on the second floor are called mezzanine boxes. Even higher is the gallery, 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 along the legs), then today all the seats in the stalls are seated.
Then, for example, in the Mariinsky Theater, there are benoir boxes, then the mezzanine boxes, and only then the tiers, there are three of them in the Mariinsky Theater, and in Alexandrinsky Theater, for example, there are 4 tiers, there is no benoir in this theater.
In the middle of the tier there may be places called a balcony; by the way, these are the best places to watch ballet performances. When I buy tickets to the ballet, first of all I look to see if there are seats in the middle of the balcony on the 2nd tier. Excellent visibility and reasonable prices.
The upper tier used to be called a gallery or a district. Today, the 3rd tier (of course, preferably the middle) has the most affordable prices and is usually occupied by students. My school years passed exactly on the 3rd tier. But once I listened to the Masquerade Ball from the Royal Box.
I often go to the theater, if tickets for a performance are inexpensive, then I buy them in the stalls - these are the seats that go straight from the stage or 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, I buy it for the balcony. The balcony has several tiers: the lower tier is called the mezzanine, followed by the balcony of the first and second tiers.
There are also separate places that are located directly above the stage to the left and to the right - the box.
The names of the seats in the theater migrated from street farce performances with stages. Spectators then simply stood on the street, on the ground, hence the name stalls. One could also watch the performance from the balconies of neighboring houses; this is how the seats in the indoor theaters that appeared later began to be called.
It’s just that different balconies got their own names - mezzanine, amphitheater, gallera.
Previous speakers have already repeatedly said that the rows of seats from the orchestra seats to the opposite wall are called 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 gallery - are called the district, and in English also the gods (gods) and paradise (paradise), including among the French themselves - paradis, then the antithesis of heaven and earth becomes clear in the structure of the theatrical universe.
In this photo of Odessa opera house The stalls are clearly visible - in the very center of the photo.
To each cultured person it wouldn’t hurt to know the names of the seats in the theater, especially if he visits periodically theatrical performances. But not everyone can boast of such knowledge. Below we will analyze in detail all the places and how they differ from each other.
Hall layout
If you are one of the people who do not quite understand the names of seats in the theater, then the diagram of the hall will definitely help you clarify some points.
There are not many types of seats in the hall, these include:
- Parterre ("on the ground"). These places are located near the center. After the emergence of theaters, the stalls had mostly standing places, but now there are none left, and any stalls are equipped big amount seating.
- Balcony. The seats are located above the amphitheater on different levels. As before, these places are valued because... opens from them good review scenes.
- Lodge. Located, like the balcony, on the upper tiers, located opposite the stage. The view is also very good, but ticket prices are higher.
- Gallery. Located on the balcony on the top tier. It does not have the most convenient location, and ticket prices are usually lower.
- Benoir. The boxes are located at stage level, on the sides of the stalls. Previously, spectators sitting in the benoir remained invisible to the rest of the people in the theater.
- Mezzanine. They are located above the benoir and amphitheater. These places are considered the most convenient, but their prices are very high, so not everyone can afford to buy a ticket there.
- Amphitheater. Located above the ground floor on both sides. The seats are arranged in tiers, making them more comfortable.
The theater seating diagram is presented below.
Choosing a seat in the theater
In choise good place A diagram of the theater hall will help.
If you are planning to visit the theater and enjoy what is happening on stage, then you should take a responsible approach to choosing a place. In order for everything theatrical performance to fully see, and not look at, what is happening on stage through the people sitting in front, and in order to get maximum pleasure from visiting the theater, we recommend choosing a seat on the balcony, dress circle or in the middle rows of the stalls opposite the stage. The listed places will not only have an excellent view of the stage, but also good acoustics.
The layout of the hall is quite simple and it won’t be too difficult to remember it, but it may come in handy in the future.
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?
Let's consider the theater in a general sense, 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’s best 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 uniform style, many carved details are finished in gold and complemented with dense, 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: a good view of the stage, 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.
