Hi all!

New to the forums, not so new to WFRP, but I have a question concerning theatres in the Imperial town of Altdorf.

Are they all seating, or is the majority standing (like the Globe theatre in London)? Are they quite high class affairs, or are there theatres for the lower classes?

Ravillius said:

How about both, and more? The nobility, and perhaps the richer members of the merchant and administrative classes, go to high class seated theatres and opera houses. The bulk of the middle class go to theatres like the globe, while the poor experience theatre in taverns or the street.

Cheers

Sparrow

Alright, your best bet is Spires of Altdolf from 2ed, I do not think there is anything in Sigmar's Heirs though there might be something in the WFRP companion.

Page 12 of Spires of Altdorf focuses on Theatres for the upper class; the basic points follow:

-extremely ostentatious, upholstered or gilded surfaces

-no tickets, to see a show one has to purchase a box for the year

-the guests are met at the door and escorted to their boxes through seperate corridors. The boxes have sides and roofs seperating them and can be locked from the inside, staff leave guests alone for the most part

-boxes are broken down into two types

-side boxes that can be viewed from most of the theatre, these are more common and are great for showing off the latest fashions of their occupants, note view of the stage is very poor

-central boxes conceal the occupant from view and offer a great view of the stage. These factors make them ideal for conducting clandestine meetings, the noise from the show and audience ensure no one is heard

-finally there is no bar within the theatre, patrons make use of servants to bring needed refreshments to the box, the cost is added to their tab

Now there is little information on middle class or lower class theatres, it is insinuated that the lower class prefers the taverns and the fighting pits but I can see a cheap theatre with only standing room, or perhaps a few boxes, maybe a stool for an extra copper coin and so on. I imagine many of the lowest sort only go to see shows when a carnival is in town or something similar.

I imagine the middle class would attempt to attend the best theatres but it is possible they have their own more modest venues as well.

regards,

ET

Outstanding, thank you!

The best WFRP theatre write up is in Bergsburg:

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monkeylite said:

Holy hell! Now that is detailed. Certainly gives me some ideas. Thanks for the link.