Page "Theatre director" Paragraph 3

Jean Fouquet: The Martyrdom of St. Appolonia ( 1460 ), depicting the staging of a mystery play, led by a theatre directorIn Medieval times, the complexity of vernacular religious drama, with its large scale mystery plays that often included crowd scenes, processions and elaborate effects, gave the role of director ( or stage manager or pageant master ) considerable importance.

A miniature by Jean Fouquet from 1460 ( pictured ) bares one of the earliest depictions of a director at work.

Holding a prompt book, the central figure directs, with the aid of a long stick, the proceedings of the staging of a dramatization of the Martyrdom of Saint Appolonia.

According to Fouquet, the director's tasks included overseeing the erecting of a stage and scenery ( there were no permanent, purpose-built theatre structures at this time, and performances of vernacular drama mostly took place in the open air ), casting and directing the actors ( which included fining them for those that infringed rules ), and addressing the audience at the beginning of each performance and after each intermission.