Building description manual

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Introduction

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.

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”.

Header

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, in it's original language 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).
  • Use the most frequent name as label, note alternative names or abreviations in the also known as field.

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)

>>> we should look at what Lodepa has been doing, maibe cultural venue is a better term, and theatre more narrow, we do include also some cultural centres, co-inema's etc. So maybe a general term, with a subdevision "type of space" would be better? <<<

>>> we also have to figure out how we deal with a building with multiple spaces, and define which properties are also needed for the secod space? I would propose to give the second space type of information = auditorium, and with a property part of. But I am not sure of the consequences.<<<

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.
Importance value list (Q8)


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

Historical name (P274)

  • Refers to name of the theatre that is used in the past.
  • Add start and end dates as qualifiers.

Type of theatre 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

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

>>> I am a bit confused here, because some of the chices are about the building, and some about the performance space. This gets us in conflict if there are several spaces <<<

>>> Maybe good to split, and add one under architectural structure, and one under inner features / performance space?<<< 

 value list Q25454

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

Q25455 existing building
Q22993 nonexistent 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
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

What was the purpose of the building, when it was build? 


  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 (P148)

describes the architectural style 

value list Q20195

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

performance space

Inner features of performance space

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

balconies (P218)

The amount of balconies

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.

stage arrangement (P219 )

Stage arrangement
  • Refers to how the stage is organised
  • It may take only a single value.
  Stage arrangement value list (Q30804)


Arena (Q23617) Arena (Q23617)]] (en rond)
Q23617 Arena
Q23680 Platform stage
Q30805 Proscenium stage
Q30806 temporary, movable stage
Q30807 trust stage
Q30809 Traverse stage

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

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, …

Lighting system (txt) P316 ===

  • general description about the lighting system used
  • add start and end dates if apropriate
  • usefull to to take over information from national year books etc.

Stock decoration (txt) P317

  • general description about the decoration (the sets) available in the theatre
  • add start and end dates if apropriate
  • usefull to to take over information from national year books etc.

spatial elements present P309

It may take multiple values at once. 

  value list Q31693

Usage

Designed for (P213)

  • Refers to the type of performance the building was designed for
   Use of space value list (Q30787)

Used for (P214 )

  • Refers to the type of performance the building is/was used for
  • If use changes over the years, start and end date qualifiers shoud be used.
  Use of space 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
Q4743 Private theare operation

Relations

Architect (P48 )

  • The person or architectural firm that designed or followed up the bulding process.
  • in case of multiple architects, add several entries.
  • if an architect has worked on a restauration or redevelopment, add the architect as qualifier of the event date.

Interior designer (P56)

Building master P79

  • the person or organisation that ordered the building

Owner P82

  • the person or organisation that owns the building
  • add start and end dates if apropriate

Head machinist P80

  • as in responsable for the machinery
  • add start and end dates if apropriate

significant person (inverse property label of Was significant person for (P87))

  • A person that had a significant influience or attribution to the building.
  • Add information on the person side.

Worked here (P228)

  • Refers to persons that worked in this theatre

Structure replaced by (P241)

  • the building which replaced this building or structure, at the same geographic location
  • in case the function is taken over by a building on another location, use "replaced by"

structure replaces (inverse property label of structure replaced by (P241))

  • The item this building or structure replaced, at the same geographic location

Replaced by (in role) (P239)

  • Building that replaces this one its role.
  • Use only if the function of the building is taken over by another building in another place. Otherwise use "structure replaced by.

replaces (inverse property label of replaced by (in role) (P239))

  • Other building which continues the role of this one.

had hosted performance of (inverse property label of Played in (P125))

  • Refers to a performance that played in this space.

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

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 P307

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].

Redevelopment 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)

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

Image (P2) or Internal image (P24)

  • A picture representing the theatre, for example external and internal images.
  • 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.)
  • Wikicommons images are preferable
  • if you add a qualifier Instance of (P1) with value “featured image" (Q105), the picture will show automatically on top of the page.

Youtube video (P116)

  • A video on youtube about this theatre (not the performances).
  • If the video mentions multiple persons, businesses or subjects, make a separate source for it and use the mentions property to refer to the person.
  • Copy the string after ?v= in the Youtube url and paste it in the [Youtube video] property.
  • In case a video has limited use through copyright, but van be shared, add a qualifier [copyright]

Internal video (P78) or Wikicommons media (P8)

  • A video on about this theatre (not the performances).
  • If the video mentions multiple persons, businesses or subjects, make a separate source item for it and use the mentions property to refer to the theatre.
  • An Wikicommons media refers to a picture in the wiki repository of videos (commons.wikimedia.org) You can link by copying the name of the file from wikipedia or from the repository.
  • An Internal video refers to a video in our own repository. Upload the video 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]

Commons galery (P181)

  • A link to the commons galery
  • Copy the last part of the domain name into the property
  • Large videos are preferably stored outside of the platform due the limitations of file size.

Geographical information

GPS (P21)

  • Geographical coordinates of the theatre, based on google maps
  • Ideally the place of the zero point is given
  • You can copy the information from Google maps by right-clicking on the place and then on the coordinates.

Country (P29 )

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

Adress (P164)

  • The address of the theatre

Historic adres (P236)

  • Used to map against old documents or maps
  • If the name of a street or the house number is changed over time, give old adress
  • Add a qualifier [start time] / [end time]

>>> Missed Historical adress<<<

Postal Code (P168)

  • The postal code of the building

City (P68)

  • The city where the theatre is located
  • You can search the cities in the search bar or under Country
  • If a city does not exist yet, it needs to be created first (see Geographic area)

>>> I refered to value list in tree<<<

City section (P224)

  • Only used for verry large cities.
  • Shows a sub-devision of a city.

Sources

Archive is kept at (P221)

  • The place or organisation where (parts of) the busness's archive is kept
  • Can be multiple values, in this case describe with a context qualifier the exact situation.
  • value is a collection

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

is mentioned in (inverse property label of mentions, P78)

  • Describes the source a busness is mentioned in.
  • The input is done on the source side.

References

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

Jerome table property (P176)

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

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

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