Rake (theatre)

Such a design was typical of English theatre in the Middle Ages and early Modern era, and improves the view and sound for spectators.

When features of the scenery are made to align with a notional vanishing point beyond the rear of the stage, the rake supports the illusion.

This change back to the method of construction seen in Greek and Roman theaters (flat stage and terraced audience) was effected due to the difficulty encountered when one tries to walk across a sloped surface, which had resulted in unnatural movement patterns to avoid the appearance of limping caused by the non-level surface.

This led to the theatre positions "upstage" and "downstage", meaning, respectively, farther from or closer to the audience.

The term "upstaging" refers to one actor moving to a more elevated position on the rake (stage), causing the upstaged actor (who stays more downstage, closer to the audience) to turn their back to the audience to address the cast member.

The raked stage (in section, right) of the 18th century Hermitage Theatre in St Petersburg
Illusion of perspective at the 17th-century theatre in Český Krumlov Castle , Czech Republic. The stalls' floor is level [ 1 ]
Stage design, showing rake and perspective, from the Bibiena school , northern Italy