Mansion stage: History and Key Facts

A mansion stage is a small wooden platform with supports and a roof, commonly used in medieval theatre to represent specific locations (such as Heaven or Hell). Originating in churches, the actors would often move between these mansions as the play demanded. The acting area of the stage was called the platea, and mansions were placed around the platea. As the actors moved between the mansions, the platea would take on the scenic identity of each mansion. In England, pageant wagons were used for cycle dramas to hold the mansion, the platea, and a dressing area. These wagons moved the scene from one audience to the next, unlike in the church where mansions were stationary and both performers and the congregation moved from mansion to mansion.

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