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Theatrical Terms Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about terms in current use in the theatre.

A multiple-choice quiz by monkeycouzin. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
monkeycouzin

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
91,051

Updated
Sep 11 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
3598

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 72 (1/10), Guest 172 (5/10), Guest 165 (4/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is a 'stage weight'? Hint

The maximum loading that a stage can have placed upon it

A long pause between dialogue in a play

A heavy metal weight used to hold a stage brace in position

The time you have to spend in a queue waiting to buy tickets

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who or what is a 'flyman'? Hint

The technician operating machinery controlling the scenery suspension system

A derogatory term used about theatre managers who use sharp practices to maximise profits

The stagehand responsible for ensuring that the theatre is regularly sprayed to deter insects

The nickname given to the actor playing 'Peter Pan' (who flies across the stage)

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is a 'ghost light'? Hint

A prop light that does not work but is there purely for show

A special effect lamp used to simulate a ghostly apparition in some plays

The shadow cast by a light off-stage that spills onto the stage during a performance

A light left on when the theatre is closed for the night

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Question 4 of 10

4. The term 'paper the house' means... Hint

To decorate the theatre with newspaper reviews of the current production

To ensure good reviews by bribing critics with cash

To hold a show just for invited newspaper critics

To give away tickets to theatre performances to give the impression of a successful show

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Question 5 of 10

5. What is the 'apron'? Hint

The road in front of a theatre

An item of protective clothing worn by members of the cast

An extension of the stage extending into the auditorium

A hard area of ground outside a scenery store

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is a 'technical rehearsal'? Hint

A test run of just the lighting

A rehearsal which just involves reading the play

A rehearsal where the cast and stage technology are brought together to make sure things will run smoothly

A rehearsal for the technical team without the cast present

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Question 7 of 10

7. The expression 'Has The Ghost Walked' or 'When The Ghost Walks' means what? Hint

Has the ghost that haunts a theatre has already appeared and so will not upset a performance

Have the newspaper critics left the theatre

Has the ghost (or understudy) had to appear in the leading role

Has the manager has been around with the pay

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is another name for the 'Corsican Trap'? Hint

The Spanish Slide

The Ghost Glide

The French Floater

The Phantom Trap

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Question 9 of 10

9. A 'throw line' means what? Hint

A line used to secure two flats together

The 'hint' that a prompter gives to an actor who has 'dried'

The response that a ventriloquist's dummy makes to the ventriloquist

An aside to the audience by a member of the cast during a performance

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Question 10 of 10

10. Finally, 'to corpse' means... Hint

Act the part of a dead body

To laugh uncontrollably during a performance

Have your character die or be 'killed' during a production

To have a part of your body 'fall asleep' during a performance

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Most Recent Scores

Today : Guest 72: 1/10
Today : Guest 172: 5/10
Today : Guest 165: 4/10
Today : Guest 23: 5/10
Today : Guest 107: 2/10
Apr 28 2024 : Guest 35: 4/10
Apr 26 2024 : Guest 74: 2/10
Apr 26 2024 : Guest 107: 3/10
Apr 26 2024 : Guest 66: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is a 'stage weight'?

Answer: A heavy metal weight used to hold a stage brace in position

A stage weight is a heavy weight, usually cast iron, that is placed on the bottom of a stage brace. The brace is an angled support for scenery.

2. Who or what is a 'flyman'?

Answer: The technician operating machinery controlling the scenery suspension system

The flyman works on the Fly Floor (or Fly Gallery) which normally runs from downstage to upstage. He is in charge of the scenery that can be raised or lowered. Traditionally this was all done by hand, pulling on ropes - because of this a lot of flymen in days gone by were ex-seamen. Nowadays, many flies are computer controlled.

3. What is a 'ghost light'?

Answer: A light left on when the theatre is closed for the night

A ghost light is a working light which is left on. It is based on the superstition that most theatres have ghosts and this light is to keep the theatre ghost happy.

4. The term 'paper the house' means...

Answer: To give away tickets to theatre performances to give the impression of a successful show

This is a marketing technique whereby tickets are given away or sold very cheaply to ensure full houses and make the production appear more successful than it is in reality.

5. What is the 'apron'?

Answer: An extension of the stage extending into the auditorium

The apron is an extension of the stage - it is often used for playing scenes when the main curtains are closed.

6. What is a 'technical rehearsal'?

Answer: A rehearsal where the cast and stage technology are brought together to make sure things will run smoothly

Often known as the 'Tech,' this is the rehearsal when the full cast gets to work throught the production with the full technical wizardry such as lighting, sound effects, scenery changes, special effects. It is a very stop-start affair as problems are ironed out. Sometimes this needs to be repeated several times.

7. The expression 'Has The Ghost Walked' or 'When The Ghost Walks' means what?

Answer: Has the manager has been around with the pay

There is a tradition that Shakespeare himself once played the role of the ghost in Hamlet. The Ghost has long waits between appearances during which he may have collected the takings and paid the cast. The expression is still in use today; thus, 'if the Ghost walks' means that payday had arrived.

8. What is another name for the 'Corsican Trap'?

Answer: The Ghost Glide

The Corsican Trap is a trap door with a platform which moves across the stage as it rises so that actors seem to glide across the stage as they emerge through it. It is so called because it first appeared in a production of 'The Corsican Brothers'.

9. A 'throw line' means what?

Answer: A line used to secure two flats together

A throw line is a piece of cord permanently attached to a 'flat' which is thrown over a cleat hook in an adjacent flat and fastened off onto screws or other cleats set into the stiles of the flats. Experienced stage hands love to show off their prowess at this technique.

10. Finally, 'to corpse' means...

Answer: To laugh uncontrollably during a performance

So called because to laugh in an unexpected place effectively kills the character being portrayed.

Source: Author monkeycouzin

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ltc717 before going online.
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