Building description manual

1. 1 Building

Many different spaces have been used for the performance of theatre, from private rooms to public squares, and from churches to shopping malls, as well as purpose-made and specifically adapted buildings.

The Canon project focuses on buildings and spaces that are intended (built or adapted) for use as a place of performance. To meet this definition, at least three of the following five criteria must be met:

1. the name includes a theatre-word such as opera, theatre, playhouse, and so on
2. it is mentioned in published sources as a theatre (for example, in posters, programmes, books)
3. there is a defined stage and/or auditorium space
4. it can accommodate a minimum audience of 200 people
5. it has a continuous history of performance for a minimum of five years

In the side line, we also gather information of other types of spaces, when they have a meaning for the history of technical theatre.

• workshops of theatres, when they have an added value, for example paint shops with historic paint frames.
• Event spaces, used for theatre
• Cinema’s used for theatre

On the other hand, temporary (open air) spaces, where, for example a medieval play was created or a festival took place are mentioned in the item of the event or performance. They are not considered theatres.

1.1.1 Additional notes

A new item for a rebuild theatre.

Sometimes it is hard to decide if a theatre that is refurbished or rebuild is a new theatre or not. Some examples can help you to make this decision:

• The theatre is not in the same place, but has the same name. This is clearly a new item. We decide based on the building as an object, not on the name it has. Often buildings are referred to by the name of the company for example.
• The theatre is in the same place, but has a complete different lay-out after rebuilding from scratch. This is probably a new item, because it would be difficult to describe both in one item.
• The theatre is adapted, widened or altered, starting from the same building. (the georeferenced stays the same. We consider this as the same building. The elements that are changed are noted with different dates.

One can explain the relation between the different theatres with the property “replaces” and the inverse property “is replaced by”.

Multiple spaces

Some buildings have several performance spaces. In this case we make a separate item for a second space and give it the same name as the theatre, with addition of the name of the space. The two items can be connected with the property “is part of”.

Used properties

Label*

• The name of the theatre, as used today, with between brackets the city and country code
• We do not translate the name of a theatre, except if the theatre itself uses names in different languages. (just copy in your language)

Description

• You can give a short (max 30 words) description of the theatre.
• The standard phrasing is “theatre building in [city], [country]”.
• In case of buildings with specific, important properties, these can be added.
• This will be translated

Also known as

• This field is used to facilitate searching.
• When a theatre is known under a nickname, or if it was called differently earlier, you can add an alias

Location in the hierarchy

Field* P19

The [field] for an item describing a building is always “architecture”

Type of information* P11

The [type of information] is always "theatre"

If the theatre also contains a collection, a second entry [type of information] is "collection". In this case also check the chapter about collections)

Importance P20

represents the importance of the item in the whole of history. The essence is not to judge a theatre or it's qualities, but to be able to select relevant theatres for mass visualisations. The importance will by definition an arbitrary indicator.

Levels are:

Qid	Value name
Q504	No importance
Q9	Local importance
Q62	national or regional importance
Q96	international importance
Q97	turning point in history

We can use several elements to decide on the importance:

• Representative for an era or a change or an idea (role model)
• Uniqueness, one of a kind
• Reputation / listing
• Technological innovative
• Historic equipment still in place
• Important events have been taken place there that influence theatre history
• Full info / research / significant sources available
• 100 years old

The importance of a theatre can change over time, as more sources become available or new events occur. (This is also the reason that we include theatres of no importance. We can add sources if available. Moreover, on a local level these theatres add to the understanding of evolutions.)

Context P47

• Can be used to give more information about the theatre, the importance, etc. • Text length is limited, if needed add a second value. • Language is mandatory (fill the language of the text.)