What is an In The Round Stage?
Are you a drama student studying for exams? A budding actor preparing for your first stage role? Or perhaps you’re just a curious theatregoer, looking to learn all about your favourite art form? Well, we’ve got you covered with our in-depth guide to theatre in the round and the in-the-round stage!
What is a Theatre In The Round Stage?
An in the round stage, also known as ‘theatre in the round’, is a type of theatrical staging or design that moves the stage into the centre of the auditorium. When a theatre has an in the round stage, it is surrounded on all sides by seats. The stages can sometimes, confusingly, not be a circle however. Some may be a square, a rectangle, a diamond shape or even triangular, but would always still be classed as ‘theatre in the round’ as the defining characteristic is that the stage is surrounded on all sides.
An in the round stage generally places the stage on the same level as the first few rows of seats, which are most often tiered, looking down into the performance space. In the round theatres will not usually have a backdrop as in many other traditional theatres, as this would obscure the view on one side of the theatre. They also do not have wings, unlike many other types of theatre stage. Actors will generally enter and exit the stage either through fixed points in the audience or sometimes from tunnels concealed under the stage or seats, which are also known as the vomitorium.
History of Theatre In The Round
As with most types of theatrical staging, the origins of the in the round stage can be found in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. It’s believed there were some examples of in the round theatres being used in medieval and Edwardian England, but the style fell out of fashion with the popularity of the proscenium arch in the 17th Century.
Theatre in the round had a resurgence in popularity in the 20th Century. There are a few examples of an in the round stage being used in productions at American universities in the 1910s. The Fair Oaks Playbox Theatre in California, which is credited as being one of the first flexible staging theatres established in the US, focused on in the round staging when it opened in 1924.
In the 1930s Soviet, theatre director Nikolay Pavlovich Okhlopkov pioneered in the round staging at the Realistic Theatre, Moscow (which had formerly been one of the Moscow Arts Theatre’s Studio spaces) as a way of fostering an intimate, naturalistic connection with the audience.
In the 1950s, theatre director Stephen Joseph popularised theatre in the round in England. He established theatre company Studio Theatre Ltd, which was dedicated to staging in the round productions. Joseph later opened several venues that used an in the round stage, including the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough (formerly the Scarborough Theatre) and the Victoria Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent. The Victoria Theatre later relocated to Newcastle-under-Lyme under the name The New Vic Theatre.
In the 1960s, theatre in the round gained yet more popularity, with experimental theatre groups opting to use it as a challenge to more staid expectations of traditional theatre. The form remains popular to this day, and allows for lots of dynamic and interesting stagings. Many purpose built venues either maintain a permanent in the round stage – such as the examples listed below – or use the flexible staging of their auditorium to accommodate in the round staging for particular shows, such as the Old Vic’s annual production of A Christmas Carol.
Pros and Cons of the In The Round Stage
In the Round Pros
- Heightens immersion and intimacy
- Can help break the fourth wall and give closer connection to the audience
- A dynamic staging that can emphasise movement
- Can allow for very creative stage design to combat the lack of set
In the Round Cons
- Sightlines will naturally be obscured for certain seats at various points
- Cannot generally implement traditional stage backdrops or large props
- May cause difficulties with lighting design
Where to Sit in an In The Round Theatre
In the round stages offer a unique perspective from every seat, so there’s truly no straightforward best or worst place to sit! At some point during any performance, an actor will inevitably have their back to at least one side of the audience. However, directors and performers are usually very conscious of this and use dynamic, fluid staging to ensure a good view for all audience members at various points.
Theatres with an in the round stage usually have tiered seats, looking down onto the stage. Seats lower down will help you feel deeply immersed in the action, although depending on the play this could be considered almost a ‘splash zone’ – with some theatregoers reporting they were so close that they were sweated or accidentally spat on by performers during particularly intense scenes! A higher-up seat will ensure a clear overview of the stage, but can make audience members feel a bit more distant and removed from the action.
Examples of Theatres with an In The Round Stage
Here are some examples of theatres that have an in the round stage:
Learn About Other Types of Theatre Auditoriums!
Now you’re an expert on in the round staging it’s time to brush up on other types of auditoria, including proscenium arch, the thrust stage and many more!