Proscenium arch

The proscenium arch is, in literal terms, the square frame around a raised stage area in traditional theatres. It presents a style of theatre which has persisted since Greek times and has as such as become an almost derrogatory term to many modern dramatists.

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The proscenium arch perpetuates the fourth wall concept within theatre, which implies that the characters performing on stage are doing so in a four-walled environment, with the "wall" facing the audience being invisible.

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Many modern theatres attempt to do away with the fourth wall concept and so the proscenium arch concept has fallen out of favour. They are sometimes designed with the a circular stage areas surrounded by the audience (theatre in the round), thereby doing away completely with the concept. Even so, it is generally considered that the proscenium arch gives the audience the best view as acting on stage can be focused in one direction rather than the actors having to continually move around the stage to give a good view from all sides. It also allows for more complex scenery as blocking the audience's view is much easier to avoid.

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The term proscenium comes from the Greek - "pro" - before, "scena" - scenery, because the proscenium is normally in front of the scenery.

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See also safety curtain

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