P
 
Found glossary entries :
 

Platform stage

Proscenium Arch

Pediment

Pillar

Paraskene

Parodos

Putti

Paraskenion

Parascenium

Palaestra

Proscenium

Pier

Pilaster

Prohedra

Portico

Parodos

Pomerium

Plinth

Podium

Pedestal
 
back to top
 
 
Platform stage
 
A large stage made from wood, projecting from the tiring-house into the yard; provided the main acting area; supported two columns that held aloft the shadow and roofed the hell; derived directly from the platform stages used in inn-yard theatres.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Proscenium Arch
 
The opening in the wall which stands between stage and auditorium in some theatres; the picture frame through which the audience sees the play.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Pediment
 
1. In classical architecture, the triangular gable end of the roof above the horizontal cornice, often filled with sculpture. Also called a fronton when used to crown a subordinate feature such as a window.
2. In later work, a surface used ornamentally over doors or windows; usualy triangular but may be curved.

 
 
back to top
 
 
Pillar
 
A peir, post or column.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Paraskene
 
The area in front of the stage building.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Parodos
 
The theatre entrance.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Putti
 
Plural of ‘putto’. A putto is a childlike figure with wings, often depicted in Renaissance and Baroque painting and architecture. Cupid, the god of love, was often portrayed as a putto. As little cherubim, putti often accompanied religious figures.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Paraskenion
 
The same as parascenium.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Parascenium
 
A wing-like projection extending forward, at the ends of the skene, in the ancient Greek theatre.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Palaestra
 
1. A Greek or Roman building for athletic training, smaller than a gymnasium, consisting of a large square court with colonnades, rooms for massage, baths, etc.
2. A part of an ancient Roman villa which was specially fitted for the purpose of active games and exercises.

 
 
back to top
 
 
Proscenium
 
In the ancient theatre, the stage before the scene or back wall.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Pier
 
1. A column designed to support concentrated load.
2. A member, usually in the form of a thickened section, which forms an integral part of a wall; usually placed at intervals along the wall to provide lateral support or to take concentrated vertical loads.

 
 
back to top
 
 
Pilaster
 
1. An engaged pier or pillar, often with capital and base.
2. Decorative features that imitate engaged piers but are not supporting structures, as a rectangular or semicircular member used as a simulated pillar in entrances and other door openings; often contains a base, shaft and capital; may be constructed as a projection of the wall itself.

 
 
back to top
 
 
Prohedra
 
Literally meaning the foreseats, the seats of honour reserved for the presiding priests or officials in the ancient theatre.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Portico
 
1. A porch or covered walk consisting of a roof supported by columns; a colonnaded (continuous row of columns) porch.
2. A freestanding roofed colonnade; a stoa.

 
 
back to top
 
 
Parodos
 
One of the two side entrances to an ancient theatre between the seats and the stage; used principally by the chorus, but also by the public.
 
 
back to top
 
 
Pomerium
 
1. The space, originally along an ancient Roman city wall within and without, which was left vacant and considered holy; marked off by stone pillars and consecrated by a religious ceremony.
2. A peripheral road around a fortress of fortified city.

 
 
back to top
 
 
Plinth
 
1. A square or rectangular base for column, pilaster or door framing.
2. A solid monumental base, often ornamented with moldings, bas reliefs, or inscriptions, to support a statue or memorial.
3. A recognizable base of an external wall, or the base courses of a building collectively, if so treated as to give the apperance of a platform.

 
 
back to top
 
 
Podium
 
1. In general, an elevated platform such as one for a speaker's stand.
2. The high platform on which the Roman temples were generally placed.
3. In a circus, the lowest row of seats running immediately above the racecourse and protected from the wild animals by a railing and a trench 3.05m in width and depth; occupied by the emperor, the curule magistrates, and the Vestal virgins.
4. A low step-like projection from the wall of a room or building, intended to form a raised platfrom for placing objects on it.
5. A socle; a projecting base of a building.

 
 
back to top
 
 
Pedestal
 
A support for a column, statue, urn, etc.
 
 
back to top