Shakespearian theatre

The globe theatre was built in 1599 in London. It was related to William Shakespeare where many of his plays were staged becoming a common theatre space in the 15^th/16^th Century. The stage consisted of no seats as the audience were opposed to stand up in open air. Majority of the performances staged at the Globe were intended to entertain the Kings, Queens and courtiers in the royal courts and palaces. Due to the high standard and reputation only the best architects, designers and artists were requested to plan and design the sets.

The Italian renaissance is what we call scenery today. The rules of the designers used to paint 2Dimansial scenery in order to present a 3dimensional architecture illusion. Throughout the development of theatrical scenery consists of many artists during 1508 and 1638.

As I seized an opportunity by visiting Italy in February 2011 I was able to see example of the illusion in museums. The image below is an image I captured of an example I was very intrigued by the designs. I strongly believe if you were told that it is a 2D painting and not 3D I would not acknowledge it as it looks so real.

The English Renaissance

Inigo Jones born in 1573 – 1652 was an architect who was most commonly known in the 17^th century for his name of being England’s first scene designer. Being inspired by the theoretical atmosphere in Italy he used the concept of perspective scenery. He created his own designs considering perspective setting via wings and backdrops.

The New Stafgecraft

Adolph Appia born 1862 – 1928 and Edward Gordon Craig born 1872 – 1966, who was a pioneer of modern stage craft, were two very create designers who revolted and broke the tradition in opposition to 2D scenery with illusional3D affect at the end of the 19^th century. Their idea eventually became the foundation basis of the New Stagecraft.

Bertolt Bretch

In the 1920’a a german theatre director Bertolt Bretch strongly alleged that a ‘true’ act could be percieved from a very bare stage rather than being cluttered and incorporated with scenery. His belief influenced many designers to develop their own new ideas.