Roman Theatre
The Roman theatre was shaped with a half circle or
orchestra space in front of the stage. Most often the audience sat
here in comfortable chairs. Occasionally, however, the actors would
perform in this space.The audience was usually more interested in their favorite actors than the play itself. The actors would try to win over the audience's praise with decorative masks, costumes, dancing and mime. If the play scripted an actor's dying, a condemned man would take the place of the actor at the last moment and actually be killed on stage. The Romans loved the bloodthirsty spectacles.
During the Renaissance a prominent Italian family
built their home on top of the Ancient Theatre for added protection.
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