Traverse Theatre

Background information

Traverse theatre was is located in Edinburgh, Scotland. The theatre develops new plays or adaptations from contemporary playwrights. It also presents a lot of performances from companies across the UK. These include new plays, adaptations, dance, physical theatre,
puppetry and contemporary music.

It’s not only in Edinburgh do they have a
traverse theatre; also The Barbican Theatre in
London has a traverse stage as well.

The layout of a traverse theatre

Traverse theatre’s layouts are different from usual theatres. Usually theatres have the stage of one side and the audience opposite from the stage. However with a traverse theatre, the audience is on the two sides of the theatre stage.

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What is “direct address”?

Direct theatre is when the actor directs their lines to the audience. As if they were talking
to them. This technique is used to involve the audience in the show. Plays usually involve some direct address because it is more interesting for the people in the audience. They feel as if they are included and not just watching a play. It is used so people are still interested and not bored. Direct address can be used to explain the audience what is going on in the play or in that characters head so they can get a better understanding of how the character feels emotionally.