Litomyšl The prompter’s box. The original upholstered seats have been preserved as well as the titles and dates of the amateur performances that took place in the 19th and early 20th centuries. View from the stage into the auditorium, with the royal box in the center. The benches on the main floor and the balconies can accommodate an audience of up to 120. View from the stage towards the wing flats. Today, the theatre is equipped with modern lighting, but previously wooden stands, each with twelve small lamps, were used. View of the stage from the balcony, where honored aristocratic guests were seated during performances. The selected members of the bourgeoisie, chateau officials and professors from the Piarist schools who were invited to attend remained on the main floor. View of the stage from the royal box. The Waldsteins themselves, together with their relatives and friends, and even the palace officials and servants performed on stage. MNICHOVO HRADIŠTĚ STAVOVSKÉ DIVADLO Kačina Litomyšl Český Krumlov Weitra (Vitoraz) Grein Theatre an der Wien Graz – SchauspielHAUS Graz – OPERA HISTORy Axonometric view of the stage construction showing the machinery used for changing scenery and for lighting effects (drawing by Ondřej Protiva). Small oil lamps on metal stands were placed on the lighting ramp, which can be dropped below the stage using a smaller winch system. The main shaft under the stage is used to change the wing flats all at once. Even the original control ropes have been preserved. The scenery flats are installed on frames set into rails beneath the stage and connected to the central shaft by ropes. The shaft used to control the changing of the borders (the upper part of the scenery). There is a shaft on each side of the stage for one set of scenery. Technology Backdrop from the Blue Room scene, including a functioning double door. The majority of the conversational style comedies of the period were performed in similar aristocratic and bourgeois salons. One of two preserved curtains that appear to have been used at the same time. Even here, Platzer used his favorite architectural motif rather than the typical allegorical scenes. One of two scenery sets portraying a street scene shows a typical conglomeration of houses and palaces built in various styles. Scenes set in the countryside were also very popular. They were generally performed using scenery similar to this set portraying a peasant’s living quarters. The backdrop portraying a prison cell is one of two preserved variations of a prison set. Scenes taking places in a prison offered an effective contrast to the opulent halls and salons. Scenery