Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Other Baroque Theatres

The palaces of the nobility and the aristocracy, (with private Baroque theatres in many cases), should impress us. After all, they were intended to impress us. Not only because these people were often the ancestors of "Papa Biedermeier" or Bourgeois even with Classical entablatures to advertise their castles, but because the act of "impressing" was intended to intimidate the "commoners". The strictly hierarchical world of the Baroque nobility and aristocracy was falling apart! Why else the need to intimidate the "commoners"? 1789 was fast approaching! Religious calm: Trials for Witchcraft, Heresy (Lutherans vs Catholics, Jews, even Moslems) were tearing this hierarchical society apart! The Baroque theatre, with its realistic thunder and lightning machines, Gods descending from clouds, wind machines, rain machines intend to show the social realities intentionally placed on the stage: power vs. powerlessness. It worked! At least for a few years. ³

Some of these "old" theatres may not have been built during the Renaissance or Baroque times, they might have been constructed during the 19th century. Nevertheless they are included here as the methods of construction (raked stage, capstan-driven movable wings, stage machinery, etc.) were the same or very similar to those found in older Renaissance or Baroque theatres, or the repertoire and costumes might have been effectively the same as that found in older Renaissance or Baroque theatres.

Ostankino theatre in Russia is especially important.