Alley (theater)
Alley in the language of the theater is originally a name for the spaces between the laterally sliding backdrops on a set stage . The alley comes from the baroque theater , the stage of which was provided with a series of festoons at the top and a series of backdrops from the side to reinforce the perspective impression .
To this day, an alley is the space above a "strip" of the stage podium, which can be divided into several alleys from front to back. Since the backdrops no longer exist, the alleys have been separated from one another by side panels or frame curtains so that one can stand “in the alley” between two such curtains. Sometimes every alley is provided with a lifting platform so that the playing area can be tiered.
A prospect train and a pull rod for headlights (skylight pull, see theater lighting ) are often set up above each alley . The term alley light is used for the lateral position of stage lights at about head height of the performers, which can be placed between the panels.
literature
- Ph. J. Düringer, H. Barthels (Hrsg.): Theater-Lexikon: Theoretical-practical manual for board members, members and friends of the German theater, Leipzig: Wigand 1841, Sp. 506.