CHAPTER 1

THEATRE TYPES

An understanding of the development of the physical nature of theatres requires an understanding of history and its effect on the design of theatre buildings. Throughout history, the design of theatrical structures has been heavily influenced by the engineering and construction methods that were known to a particular culture. Styles of producing plays (and other types of entertainment) have also been a factor. The type of venue needed for a play is entirely different from one that can be used for a chariot race.

The Greeks did not arbitrarily select the amphitheater as a type of structure because they liked being outdoors, but rather used the construction methods available in their time period to create the most useful ...

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