Building description manual

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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

If a table with clearly separated values in each column with appropriate Qid is available, it could be uploaded en masse by the site administrator.

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.)


General

Type of space P216

It refers to the type of performance the building was designed for. What kind of theatre space it is. Refers to the typology of the space.

  value list Q30810
Q30812 chamber theatre
Q3633 open air theater
Q25488 palace theatre
Q31695 studio theatre space

coronation theatre

opera house

aréna

circus


Existence P215

Refers to the existence of the theatre

  value list Q30810
Permanent
temporary
utopian/ideas/competition
virtual


Theatre space character P277

What nature does it have? Are theatre space and the building that comprises it identical or put differently, does the theatre space occupies the whole structur? if the answer is yes, then it is Q31274 or it is a part of larger complex then it takes one of other values.


  value list Q31308
Q31274 Theatre building space Stucture and theatre identical
Q31276 theatre hall permanent theatre in a builidng that comprises other facilites
Q31307 multipurpose hall Space well eqipped for theatre that is used mainly for other purposes as well
Q31280 outdoor theatre


Preservation state P233

State of Existence of the space So far 9 choices available

 value list Q25454

Binary choice, whether the buidling that contains a theatre exists now?

Q25455 Existing building
Q22993 Extant building


Binary choice, whether it exists today as theatre

Q25456 Exists today as theatre
Q25457 Not existing as theatre today


It may also take other related properties


Q29854 historic equipment
Q31286 stage preserved
Q31287 representative building
Q31286 stage preserved
Q31306 space preserved
Q31305 theatre hall not preserved
historic machinery


Architectural structure

purpose of the building containing a theatre P261

Which purpose does the space have in the course of time?

  value list Q25458


The first question is whether the area of theatre space is identical with whole building.

To that, a binary option is available:

  1. If it is identical, which would be quite likely a majority of cases, then the property would have value Theatre operation building Q31289 .
  2. if it is not, the remaining values are to be used. What is the main purpose of the building that contains the theatre in question?

No value signifies that the question is so far undecided.


It may have many values and multiple at once are possible. It may be qualified with

For instance Opera Garnier is identical with its the architectural structure, therefore P261 would be Theatre operation building, whereas almost any palace theatre is a part of theatre by definition, so Ceský Krumlov palace theatre would have value Palace, chateau and Rokoko Theatre [Prague] would have value Terraced house a

original purpose of the building P302

Which purpose does the space have in the course of time?


  value list Q25458



Building relation P300

How the building is situated in its environment? It is a freestanding building or not?

values count 5 It takes single value

   value list Q618
Q31278 Terraced house
Q31279 Free standing building

Q31280 outdoor theatre
Q31281 Attached structure Theatre structure is attached to another building

cellar location

architectural style P184

describes the architectural style

value list Q20195

It may have many values and multiple at once are possible.

Inner features

audience arrangement P217

What shape does the auditorium have? Describes how the relation of the audience with the stage is organised.

  value list Q30792

It may takes only a single value.

Q30793 horse shoe audience arrangement
Q23289 Amphitheatre
Q3514 black box theater
Q30811 temporary space setting

stage arrangement P219

Stage arrangement

Refers to how the stage is organised

It may take only a single value.

  Stage arrangement value list (Q30804)

>>> I would like to keep the lay-out like in the other pages <<<

>>> But I like the idea of a frame for the value lists <<<


Q23617 Arena
Q23680 Platform stage
Q30805 Proscenium stage
Q30806 temporary, movable stage
Q30807 trust stage
Q30809 Traverse stage

significant equipment P89

equipment used that was significant for the building, performance or organisation (refers to unique equipment description) this can include fly bar systems, revolves, trap systems, …


orchestra pit type P220

Refers to the type of the orchestra pit

  value list Q30799


Q30801 elevator orchestra pit
Q30802 orchestra in front of stage (baroque)
Q30803 Orchestra pit with flat floor, partly under proscenium
Q30800 Wagner orchestra pit


maximum auditorium capacity P166

The amount of seats available in the theatre. If there is a minimum and maximum capacity, add entries. If the capacity has changed over time, add [point in time] qualifier.


spatial elements present P309

It may take multiple values at once.

  value list Q31693


balconies P218

The amount of balconies


Usage

designed for P213

refers to the type of performance the building was designed for

  value list Q30787


used for P214

refers to the type of performance the building is/was used for

  value list Q30787


type of operation P301

refers to the type of performance the building is/was used for

  value list Q31887


Q31283 resident theatre company
Q31297 Municipal theatre operation
Q31284 stagiona
Q31285 Amateur theatre
Q31299 religious order theatre
Q31301 Private theare operation

religious order theatre

Relations

>>> Most of these links are in the other types of information under references<<<

>>> Archive would fit under sources<<<

>>> Membership would fit here, just like significant preson, worked here, etc.<<<

Flanders Arts Institute venue ID P172

Refers to a source about this item in the Flanders Arts Institute database


EUTA building identifier P15

Refers to a source about this item in the theatre architecture database


Wikidata source P16

Refers to a source about this item in wikidata


The European Route of Historic Theatres P177

Refers to the route of historic theatres the item is part of


member Perspectiv P178

refers to the member page


Jerome table property P176

Refers to the (off-line) database of Jerome Maeckelberg / theatrEurope Only visible if logged in


archive is kept at P221

the collection where the archive is kept value is a collection

Time information

time frame P86

used to define the time frame the item is about. Specifically useful for theatres where no clear building date is known, like Greek or Roman theatres.

  value list Q30


Building date P101

The date that the building process started


Location hosted theatre P16

marks that there was a previous theatre structure before with the date when so happened. It should be complemented with P240 structure replaces assigning the previous structure.


opening date (or re-opening) P102

The date of the opening of the building, or the first performance. Can also be used for a reopening after closure or redevelopment.


restoration date P103

Starting date of a restoration process The end date is the reopening date restoration is used for restoring in the authentic condition, for updates, redevelopment or refurbishment of a building, use [redevelopment].


reconstruction date P104

Starting date of a reconstruction process Redevelopment is used for updates, changes in structure or refurbishment of a building. For restoring in the authentic condition use [restauration]


discovery date P105

The date a building or a space is rediscovered. This can apply to historic, archaeological sites, but also to theatres that were used for another purpose.


burned down date P106

date of a major fire


closure date P107

Date of a (semi)permanent closure of the building

If the theatre is destroyed, use dissolved, abolished or demolished


dissolved, abolished or demolished P108

Date of the destruction of the building


change of use P169

Date of permanent change of use of the building For example when a theatre becomes a store Add [context] qualifier to add extra information.


by P109

Qualifier referring to a person, mostly an architect Can be used for [Date of restauration], [Date of redevelopment] or [Date of (re)discovering] to state who has lead the action.

Measurements

We only include basis measurements of the theatre, for better understanding of the size, and the relations.

Measurements are taken from the centre point depending on information available. The information can depend on local definitions of center line, plaster line, iron curtain line, etc. If no centre point is defined by the local sources, the centre point is the crossing of the middle line of the stage with the line where the stage is at full height.

Measuring a stage

Stage height (P205)

(reference 1 in the drawing)

  • The measurement is preferably in m.
  • The height is measured from the zero point to the grid

Stage width (P206)

(reference 2 in the drawing)

  • The measurement is preferably in m.
  • The measurement is taken from wall to wall at the zero point.

Stage depth (P207)

(reference 3 in the drawing)

  • The measurement is preferably in m.
  • The measurement is taken from the zero point to the back wall.

Stage opening width (P208)

(reference 4 in the drawing)

  • The measurement is preferably in m.
  • the measurement is taken on maximum opening .

Stage opening height (P209)

(reference 5 in the drawing)

  • The measurement is preferably in m.
  • The measurement is taken on maximum opening.

Front stage depth (P210)

(reference 6 in the drawing)

  • The measurement is preferably in m.
  • The measurement is taken , from start of stage to zero point.

Stage slope in % (cm/m) (P211)

(reference 7 in the drawing)

  • The measurement is preferably in cm/m.

distance to last row (P212)

  • The measurement is preferably in m.
  • The measurement is taken , from the zero point to the last row.
  • Add [context] qualifier to add extra information.

Stage dimensions (P165)

  • This is a temporary property, used to import from sites that combine measurements in one field
  • It is not visible for the public.

Media

Images P2

Image P2 
internal image P24 
         
  • A reference picture of the theatre, to help users recognise the building. Several pictures can be added.
  • An [image] refers to a picture in the wiki repository of images (commons.wikimedia.org) You can link by copying the name of the file from wikipedia or from the repository.
  • An [Internal image] refers to a picture in our own repository. Upload the document first and copy the link here. (You have to be sure that the picture is open source.)
  • In case a picture has limited use through copyright, but van be shared, add a qualifier [copyright]

Video

  Video P8 
  YouTube video P116
  Internal video P76
  • Video about this specific theatre, that does not contain information about other items. (If it does contain information about other items, enter the information as a source)
  • A [Video] refers to a picture in the wiki repository (commons.wikimedia.org) You can link by copying the name of the file from wikipedia or from the repository.
  • A [YouTube video] refers to a video on YouTube. You can link by copying the name of the file code from the URL.
  • An [Internal video] refers to a picture in our own repository. Upload the document first and copy the link here. (You have to be sure that the picture is open source.)
  • In case a video has limited use through copyright, but van be shared, add a qualifier [copyright]


Geographical information

GPS P21

  • Geographical coordinates of the theatre, based on google maps
  • Ideally the place of the zero point is given


Country P29

  • The actual country the theatre is in (now)
  • (if a country does not exist yet, it needs to be created first)
      value list Q440


Adress P164

  • The address of the theatre
  • If the name of a street or the house number is changed over time, add a qualifier [context] and/or a qualifier [point in time] or [start time] / [end time]


Postal Code P168

The postal code of the theatre

City P68

The city where the theatre is located


Sources

Source URL P64

direct link to external web page source use only if the URL only refers to the subject


Web P182

presence of the subject on-line, by the subject if by a third party use Source URL or refer to the subject in a source


Technical fields

(these are for internal use, to support the administration or writing process.)

Status P92

Used to notify the maintainers there is issues or things to do

  value list Q607

Possible values are:

Q10 Needs verification the information has to be checked
Needs translation
Q537 Needs attention (there are some issues with this item or missing information)
Q538 needs revision

Status is invisible for the public

Note (qualifier)

   • You can add details in a note about the status


Note P44

Used to make notes for yourself or for other contributors Notes are invisible for the public

Wikidata