When this exciting moment of visiting the theater comes, it’s easy to get confused. After all, the challenge of buying tickets lies ahead. How to make a choice? Is the stalls in the theater really the most convenient and expensive area? Let's try to conduct a short excursion and understand what really should be chosen.
What is a stall?
The concept of “ground floor” came to us from ancient Rome. In the theaters of that time, usually located in the open air, around the stage with actors there were semicircular platforms filled with spectators. The audience was motley. Both wealthy and poor people were looking at the performance while standing. Already at the end of the 19th century, near the stage were 2 rows of chairs. Behind them was a space filled by the public on cheap tickets, who enjoyed the spectacle while standing. The word "parterre" itself has French roots (par - po, terre - earth) and means "on earth".
The general definition is as follows: parterre - seats in the theater located on the floor plane parallel to the stage and below its level. In most theaters, the plane is a little understood towards the back rows. This improves visibility. Parterre in the theater is considered the most sought after and privileged place. Between the stage and the orchestra is an orchestra pit.
Pros and cons of the stalls
No matter which genre you prefer. If it is a musical, drama or opera, a stall in the theater will allow you to:
- feel the fullness of the sound of voices;
- enjoy the richness and coherence of musical accompaniment;
- see and consider the faces and costumes of heroes.
It should be noted that in different places of the stalls these positive nuances are very individual. It all depends on the technical characteristics of the hall itself:
- acoustics;
- the height of the scene.
The disadvantages include the need to keep your head upright.
If the acoustics of the room are not too lucky, in the front rows, as well as in the lateral parts of the stalls, on the contrary, the sound purity can be distorted. But this rarely happens. The most convenient and panoramic is considered the central part of the seventh row.
In what cases will the seats on the ground really spoil the true pleasure of what is happening on the stage? This can happen when the action is full-blown, where a large number of extras are involved. Parterre will not allow you to see everything that happens more voluminously, in other words, to "grab" the whole picture. This often happens in ballet productions. The genre of music can also play an important role. Particularly acute shortcomings of the stalls are felt in the Philharmonic, and not in the theater.
Useful tips for theatergoers
In addition to all of the above, places in the stall impose certain obligations. This part of the hall is well visible, and many people's eyes may be fixed on you. And this means that you need to look and behave accordingly.
In some performances, great emphasis is placed on the auditorium. In such productions, you can be not only a spectator, but also, in a sense, a participant in what is happening, because the stalls in the theater are considered as extras. Be on the lookout. Do not abuse perfume or cologne. Think of those sitting nearby. And if you really want to enjoy viewing, you need to take care of buying tickets early. After all, the stalls in the theater are still the most convenient and desirable place for any spectator.