The Oberon Glossary of Theatrical Terms by Colin Winslow

Author:Colin Winslow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: OBERON BOOKS Ltd

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Maestro, The (It.) The orchestral conductor. (cf. MUSICAL DIRECTOR)

Magician The preferred term for a stage CONJURER or ILLUSIONIST.

Maître/maîtresse de ballet (Fr.) Ballet master/mistress. One responsible for conducting regular classes, rehearsing ballets in a company’s REPERTOIRE and maintaining standards of performance.

Make-up Most performers of either sex wear make-up of some kind when on stage, as the multiple sources of light tend to wipe out natural shadows. However, its use has steadily declined in recent years due to more sophisticated stage lighting techniques. (See CHARACTER MAKE-UP, PANCAKE, GREASPAINT, FIVE AND NINE and SADLER’S WELLS MAKE-UP.)

Malvern festival Festival of theatre and music taking place annually at Great Malvern in Worcestershire, founded by Sir Barry Jackson (1879-1961) in 1929. The festival was discontinued during World War II, but successfully re-established in 1977.

Manager Administrator who runs the business or commercial side of a theatre or theatre company.

Manet (L.: he/she remains) STAGE DIRECTION, rarely used nowadays, indicating that the actor should not leave the stage. (cf. EXIT, EXEUNT.)

Marie-Tempest Improvised device made from a cord and a weight rigged to the top of a scenic door to ensure that it will remain either open or closed as desired. Named after the popular actress Marie Tempest (1864–1942) for whom the device was invented by an ingenious STAGE HAND when she was playing Judith Bliss in Noël Coward’s play Hay Fever (1925).

Marionette PUPPET operated by strings from above. (cf. GLOVE PUPPET, ROD PUPPET.)

Mark (n.) Small piece of coloured adhesive tape stuck to the stage floor to indicate the pre-determined position of a piece of scenery, furniture or an actor, or (vb.) to place such a mark. (cf. SPIKE.) (vb.) To rehearse using restricted voice or movements to conserve energy and avoid strain. Technique adopted particularly by opera singers or ballet dancers when rehearsing shortly before performances.

Mark-out (or Mark-up) (n.) Full-sized plan of the SET indicated on the floor with adhesive tape or chalk for rehearsals or for accurate positioning on stage. (cf. SPIKE.) (vb.) To outline a design on SCENERY with charcoal, chalk or paint prior to painting.

Maroon Electrically-detonated, explosive device for producing the SOUND EFFECT of an OFFSTAGE explosion. Must be used in a specially prepared BOMB TANK with appropriate safety precautions.

Marquee, The Illuminated canopy outside the main entrance to a theatre.

Mask (n.) Facial covering worn as a disguise, to stylise facial features, or to suggest a change of identity. Frequently worn in all kinds of dramatic performances from ancient Greece to the present day. (vb.) To hide OFFSTAGE areas, LUMINAIREs etc. from the audience’s view.

Masking (n.) Scenic elements or DRAPES that primarily perform the function of hiding OFFSTAGE areas, LUMINAIREs etc. from the audience’s view. (vb.) Blocking the audience’s view of an actor or scenic element by another actor or piece of scenery, either inadvertently or intentionally.

Masque Formal dramatic entertainment popular at Renaissance courts throughout Europe, containing poetry, music and dance, and sometimes, very elaborate scenic effects.

Master Electrical switch or DIMMER that will override all others. (See also GRAND MASTER and BLACKOUT SWITCH.)

Master carpenter One responsible for building SETs and in overall charge of the WORKSHOP.

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