Periaktoi

The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre | 1996 | 700+ words | Copyright

Periaktoi, scenic devices used in the Roman, and perhaps earlier in the Hellenistic, theatre. According to Vitruvius, they were triangular prisms set on each side of the stage which could be revolved on their axes to indicate a change of scene, each of their three surfaces bearing an indication of a locality, as waves for the sea, ships for a harbour, trees for a wood. The publication of Vitruvius's treatise in 1511 led to the adoption and improvement of the periaktoi by Renaissance theatre architects, particularly by Bastiano da San Gallo (1481–1551), who increased their size and their number, placing several one behind the other on each side of the stage, and providing removable painted canvas panels for each of the three faces of the prism, so as to make possible a greater number of variations in the scenery. These improved periaktoi were later known as telari.

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PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Periaktoi." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Periaktoi." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-Periaktoi.html

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Periaktoi." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-Periaktoi.html

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