Theatre ABC, Act 1

Do you shy away from the theatre and find yourself completely lost when people talk about dramaturgy, the Iron Curtain and the stage that means the world? Don’t worry, this little theatre ABC will turn you into a theatre pro and get you ready for your next visit to the theatre.

This ABC was created in collaboration with Meret Luisa Olympia Aeschbach, who until recently worked at Theater Rigiblick.

A round of applause!

Did you enjoy the performance? Then show it. Clap, cheer, stamp your feet or shout “Bravo” at the top of your voice! Incidentally, applause can also be bought: around 1820, an “Assurance de succès dramatique” – a “guarantee of dramatic success” – was offered for a fee in Paris for the first time. A so-called claqueur – to clap is ‘claquer’ in French – provided paid applause at the purchased play – to encourage the audience to applaud as well.

B Stage

‘All the world’s a stage’ – this description of the stage was borrowed from a poem by Friedrich Schiller. But not all stages are the same: in theatre, a distinction is made between the front and back of the stage – important for communication among theatre professionals. During rehearsals, the separation of the auditorium and the stage area helps to maintain orientation across the different spatial levels.

C Chorus

No, this does not refer to voices singing ‘Hallelujah’. In theatre, the chorus refers to dancing and singing figures who are outside the main plot: the chorus has a commentary function and, for example, recounts the backstory. It is still frequently used today, even in contemporary plays.

D Dramaturg

Fancy some drama? Dramaturgs are tasked with observing rehearsals and providing input. This requires a certain degree of distance – which is why dramaturgs are not present throughout the entire rehearsal process. They also act as intermediaries between the play (drama), the actors and the director. Dramaturgs are becoming increasingly important for theatre companies today, particularly with a focus on diversity.

E Iron Curtain

We know it from the Cold War: the dividing line across Europe between market economies and planned economies. However, the term actually originates from the theatre! In the 19th century, widespread use of gas lighting and open flames led to fires in theatres; the safety and fire-fighting measures common at the time were insufficient. To provide better protection, so-called iron curtains were therefore installed to prevent the flames from spreading from the stage into the auditorium.

F Film

Not just for enjoying at the cinema or at home on the sofa: film is now frequently used in the theatre. Film footage or videos allow for additional perspectives in performances, close-ups of actors and actresses, or reveal hidden corners of the stage in the dark.