 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
[ Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Michael Kilgarriff
Date: 09 Sep 2003
Time: 10:42:59
I'll put your query in October's Irvingite which may prompt a response. I always understood the pit was originally a standing area which was at some time provided with benches until managements realised the advantages to patrons of sitting directly in front of the stage. More ecomfortable seating was introduced (some theatres still refer to front seats as 'orchestra stalls') and the old pit seats were gradually moved further and further back. When underneath overhanging balconies this part of an auditorium would be hot and stuffy, often with vision obscured by supporting pillars, and with notoriously bad acoustics. I think the term is not used now, synonymous as it became with discomfort in many forms.