The Scene Building

Abstract The scaenae fronswas the wall of the scene building facing the audience. In theatres of the western type it contained the three doorways through which the actors entered the stage (Fig. 20). In some eastern theatres there were five such doorways (Fig. 27). The sides of the stage were enclosed by walls (versurae). These also contained doorways, which led onto the stage from the lateral rooms or basilicas beyond. Thus in theatres of the western type there were five possible entrances onto the stage. The columnatiowhich ran in front of the scaenae fronswall usually turned to frame the doorways at the sides of the stage.