Theatre Design & Technology - May 1965 - 9

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Assuming a deep picture frame stage has substantial dimensions and is equipped with a system of revolving stages with elevator platforms
permitting the formation of an amphitheatre on
stage, then the stage can quite easily be used
as in independent auditorium for spectacles on
an open stage, or for concerts (Figure 11: project for a "Palace of Culture," in Moscow). With
the stage so equipped, the spectators are disposed on two sides, whi Ie the small revolver
serves as an open platform for scenic or circus
shows, concerts, and so forth. The basic auditorium can be simultaneously employed as a cinema
or an assembly hall, with the orchestra pit
transformed into a platform. Provision of a fire
curtain between the stage and auditorium assures
reliable sound insulation. Auxi II iary space
around the large stage can be uti I ized succe s sfully, as wagon stage storage, scenery and prop
storage, etc.

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Section

Plan of the Main Floor

FIGURE 8: Notional Theatre, Monnheim: Architect Gerhard
Weber (1955-57)

1. Lorge auditorium: 1,200 seats
2. Small auditorium
3.

Backstage areo, with elevators

4'·. Scenery and Prop Storage
5'. Lobby
6. Equipment space far hydrau lie elevators
7. Dressing Rooms

Soviet architects have solved this problem, taking into account the negative features of open
stages, by modifying the deep stage, the service
areas adjoining it, and a portion of the auditorium.
In the Tula Dramatic Theatre (lOO miles south of
Moscow) designed In 1958-60 and now under
con s tructi on, side stage area s adj oin ing the
auditorium may be converted to allow a wraparound arrangement which adds 600 seats (Figure 9). At the same time the forward area can
be transformed into an open stage surrounded by
spectators on three sides. The distribution of
service areas permits an effective utilization of
the open stage and a convenient organization of
the scenery construction and property shops. The
area above the open stage may be masked by
suspended panels.
A similar proposal has been made in the design
of a theatre for D'Lisseldorf (Figure 10), where
the small auditorium's playing space, placed behind the main stage, is also partially used as
storage space for the main theatre. Live storage
space (principally enclosures off the central
stage area) can be transformed into auditoriums
or small independent stages.

MAY,

1965

An economically profitable and expedient use of
the picture frame stage with a rectangular plan,
which alternates as a basic playing space and a
seating area, is cleverly realized in the Loeb
Drama Center of Cambridge, Massachusetts (see
elsewhere, this issue). The parterre oftheauditorium is placed on elevator platforms which can
be raised and lowered, and is itself sectioned
into four independent parts. Seats for spectators
are installed in two trapezoidal seating banks,
readily portable up-and downstage or laterally.
Such a sectioned e levator system permi ts not
only varying the height of sections of the forestage area, but provides an orchestra pit as well.
A great advantage of th i s method is that the seat
bank elements are all used in each configuration,
which eliminates the need to store these units.

The most fruitful, most realistic approach towards new types of theatre and performance
buildings is directly related to the creative practice of large theatre groups and individual
directors and producers who strive, in cooperation with architects, arti sts and engineers, to
utilize the present achievements of science and
technology in theatrical art.

Architect Bykov's article will be concluded in
the next issue. The remaining text focusses on
eight projects now in various stages of development in the USSR.
Editorial considerations have forced the abridgement of discussion on some three or four additional West German projects, in further support
of the author's general thesis. The projects
omitted, as well as many included here are also
treated critically in Thomas Mi.;nter's article
"Bemerken swerte Vorsch loge in neuren Theaterbauwettbewerben," In
BUHNENT ECHNISCHE
RUNDSCHAU,
LVI,
Heft 2 (Apri I,
1962),
pp. 9 -16.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - May 1965