Theatre - Technical Jargon and a Dash of Folklore Quiz

Answer: 35 minutes before the performance begins

There is a five minute time cushion before the beginning of a performace, to allow for unforeseen events, and an atmosphere of calm to settle over the production. Thus; "the half" is called 35 minutes before the performance begins, "the quarter" 20 mins, and "the five" 10 mins. And "beginners to the stage" (or just "beginners") is called five minutes before the curtain rises.

Answer: Front of House Calls

These calls follow the same pattern as those made to the cast and crew, with the obvious exception of "beginners to the stage". For the stragglers, bells are rung in the bars and foyer 3, 2, and 1 minute before curtain up.

Answer: Understudy

An Understudy (sometimes known as a Cover) will learn one or more of the main roles, as well as their own part in the Chorus, or that of a minor character. Alternates understudy key roles in the same way, and are also contracted to take the main part in some performances.

A Chorus member who learns other Chorus roles in case a fellow performer has a day off, or assumes a main part as an Understudy, is called a Swing.

Answer: Open the House

Stage Management tell the FOH (Front Of House) Manager that everything is ready. The FOH Manager will then inform his staff by walking round the corridors and stairways that give access to the auditorium, often ringing a handbell as he makes his round. Doors are opened, and the audience may take their seats. Backstage, the call "The house is open, please do not cross the stage" is passed to all positions.

Answer: Call Boy

Call Boys would make the rounds of all dressing rooms at the intervals leading up to the show, as well as summoning performers throughout the show. The final call was five minutes before an artiste´s entrance, and is was common practice not to disturb performers between "the ten" and this last summons. Call Boys were advised to wait for a reply to their knock, either from the artiste or his/her dresser, so that, should an entrance be missed, blame would not rest with them!

Answer: Deputy Stage Manager

The Deputy Stage Manager, or DSM (sometimes known as Stage Director), attends all rehearsals and performances, and calls all cues. He or she sits in the Prompt Corner, and is said to be "on the book", i.e. reading the script and all cues. The Assistant Stage Manager, or ASM, is responsible for props. The Stage Manager is in overall charge, but may sometimes be "on the book".

Answer: Prompter

The Prompter follows the script, and will quietly remind a performer of their next line should he or she receive a whispered "prompt!" from the stage. Prompt Side (or PS) is stage left, and stage right is referred to as OP (or Opposite Prompt). If these positions are reversed, because of the way the set is constructed, or if the band is in the wings PS, the Prompt Corner (now stage right) is known as the Bastard Prompt or Bastard Side.

This often leads to interesting exchanges between crew members!

Answer: Iron

The Safety Curtain (sometimes referred to as the Fire Curtain) is usually lowered in the interval, sealing the stage from the auditorium. Normally made of sheet metal, iron faced with asbestos was originally used - and the name just stuck. Electric motors have long since replaced a hydraulic mechanism for lowering and raising. No piece of set or prop is allowed to block the path of the Iron, and it is common to find a white line across the stage to indicate where it will land.

Answer: False

If a performer is Stage Left, he or she is to your right as you watch the performance. Downstage is nearest to the audience in a traditional setting. If a script contains the direction "Charles moves USR", he will end up to your left and Upstage, i.e. further away from you towards the back of the set. Whether Up or Downstage, anyone in the middle of the set is said to be Stage Centre.

Answer: Practical

Any working item, such as a lamp, door, piece of audio equipment etc is said to be "practical". This is opposed to, say, a performer operating a lightswitch, and the lighting engineer raising the lighting level to simulate a lamp coming on. Or perhaps a doorbell is rung, and the sound effect played in by the sound engineer. Such bells and switches that do not work are termed "dead".

Answer: Strike

The term is also applied to items of scenery or props to be removed during the course of the performance, such as a piece of furniture. The Strike sometimes begins while performers are still removing their make-up! Once struck, the set and props are removed from the stage. This is known as the Get-Out or Load-Out. An unsuccessful production may "fold" before the end of its scheduled run.

Answer: Above the main entrance from the street

The marquee (or canopy) advertises the production currently showing. Most large theatres have one over the main public entrance. Brightly lit, it displays the title of the show, as well as the stars appearing in it, and the most attractive line from a press review - such as "Unmissable!" or "The best show in town!".

The area under the marquee and around it, where photographs and further information pertaining to the show may be found, is commonly called the "front".

Answer: Resting

Irony is part and parcel of life in this most precarious of professions, and a hefty dose of black humour will often see a performer through. "Resting at the moment, dear boy", thus implying that the decision to work or not lies entirely with them, is the preferred answer when asked what they are doing and the diary is empty.

Answer: No

It most certainly is not! Best not to say anything at all. But if you feel you must impart good wishes to a performer, "Break a leg" is the phrase to use. Many theories abound as to the origin of this, but no truly definitive source has been found. "Break a leg" has transcended the boundaries of the theatre, and is often heard when one person wishes another well in whatever he or she is about to do.

Answer: A dropped greasy chip could cause a dancer to slip

Plain common sense, this one. Back in the days of Variety and Music Hall, dancers occupied the dressing rooms at the top of the building. Imagine what could happen if, skipping down a flight of steps in metal-soled tap shoes, one of them were to slip on a dropped greasy chip.

Not to mention the smell of the salt and vinegar wafting through the backstage area and possibly out into the auditorium if everyone did it! Thank you and goodnight! Exit Stage Left.