STAGE DIRECTIONS IN RESTORATION COMEDY

(Versión definitiva [17/01/22])

 
A. WITH FOCUS ON PHYSICAL SPACE OF STAGE / REFERENCES
TO STAGE BUSINESS
A.1.MOVEMENTS OF ACTORS ON STAGE
A.1.1. Enter or exit through door into another room or house within the same
location.
A.1.2. Enter or exit above (i.e. at a window or balcony)
A.1.3. Enter or exit through trap or any other special places on stage (i.e. from the
floor)
A.1.4. Simultaneous entrances or exits.
A.1.5. Characters hide themselves or other characters behind or under
parts of the setting (inside a sack or a box, behind a locked door); characters speak
or act from a hiding place ("unseen")
A.1.6. References to stage doors (doors used to enter or exit, to be opened, closed or
locked, etc).
A.1.7. Actor’s movement from one place to another on the stage (e.g., they pass
over or traverse the stage, retire or withdraw, go or step aside, offer to go, follow
someone, stop or pause, etc.).
A.1.8. Actors climb/ascend to or descend from a space above (i.e. the ceiling).
A.1.9. References to two or more simultaneous actions on stage.
A.1.10. References to windows, balconies and openings either above or at stage
level.

A.2. LOCATION.
(e.g., "Scene, a street")
 
A.3. SCENE CHANGES.
(e.g., "The scene changes to a tavern", "The scene discovers a bedroom", "The scene turns
to Paulina's house") [change is indicated by the verb]

A.4. REFERENCES TO THE “SCENE,” THE “STAGE,” AND THE THEATRE AS

SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE STAGE.
(e.g., "The scene opens", "Enter X with a great sack, which he places betwixt the scenes")

A.5. CHARACTERS OR SETTINGS BEING DISCOVERED.

(e.g., "The scene draws and discovers Harlequin/a bed")

A.6. HANGINGS, ARRAS OR CURTAINS.

A.7. REFERENCES TO TIME.

A.8. REFERENCES TO PARTS OF THE PLAYHOUSE/AUDIENCE OTHER THAN THE

STAGE (e.g., pit, box, galleries).

1
A.9 ELEMENTS OF THE SCENERY AND STAGE (Boards, pillars, etc; permanent or
makeshift)

A.10 PAINTED SCENERY.

A.11 PROMPT BOOK ENTRIES.

 
B. WITH FOCUS ON ACTORS / REFERENCES TO ACTING
B.1. PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
(e.g., "Enter X dressed like a soldier", "Enter Y masked")
B.1.1. References to the physical state and appearance of characters. (e.g., "drunk",
"wounded")
B.1.2. Use of disguises/masks/impersonation (except cross-dressing).
B.1.3. Characters dress or undress (i.e. in process of putting on or off items of
clothing, hats, wigs, etc); ("X discovers/unmasks him/herself").
B.1.4. Cross-dressing.
 
B.2. CHARACTERS’ EMOTIONS OR ATTITUDES
(e.g., "X cries", "Y looks sad", "Z looks threateningly", "X yawns", "Y looks drowsie", "in a
rage")

B.3. ACTORS’ USE OF SPECIAL SPEECH FORMS

B.3.1. Delivery of formal speech or characters speaking up or explicitly addressing
themselves to others; preaching; speaking of Prologue/Epilogue.
B.3.2. Reciting poetry/singing songs and catches.
B.3.3. Asides (to the audience only) (e.g., "to him-/herself")
B.3.5. Other manners of speech and human sound (screams, shouts, in a low or
loud voice, in a particular tone or accent, etc); imitation, to mimic voices; to belch,
to mutter or hem, to sigh, cough, snore, or sneeze.
B.3.6. Explicit indication that a song (or part of it) is repeated (“bis”).
B.3.7. A character interrupts or completes the speech of another character by means
of his/her own speech.

B.4. BODY MOVEMENTS

(e.g., "X kneels", "Y sits", "Z whispers", like a statue, image or ghost; to fall asleep, wake,
faint.
 
B.5. USE OF OBJECTS (also carrying / breaking / hitting /throwing /picking /dropping
objects)
(e.g., "X draws a sword", "Z brings in chairs")

B.6. INTERACTION AMONG CHARACTERS

B.6.1. Physical contact (of any kind) with other characters excepting violence (B.6.2)
and amorous relations (B.6.15); salutation (with kiss); physical contact (of any kind)
with animals.

B.6.2. Violence on stage:

2
 B.6.2.1. Sword fighting of any kind ("X charges / disarms / thrusts /
cudgel")
B.6.2.2. Struggles or aggressions in general: beatings, kicks, pushing other
people, hitting, lashing, thrusting, throwing, stabbing, beheading, bitting,
etc.
B.6.2.3. Binding/Unbinding of characters; arresting, taking prisoner, locking
somebody up / releasing.
B.6.2.5. Shooting on stage/"flashing in the pan"

B.6.3. Characters speaks/whispers to a specific addressee ("X to Y") with or without

“aside”; a character takes/brings/draws another character aside.
B.6.4. References to characters toasting or serving drinks or meals to others.
B.6.5. Interaction between characters involving objects. Characters exchange, search
for, give or take away objects or persons ("X gives money / pays").
B.6.8. Character observe/spy/overhear/eavesdrop/look on/see other characters.
B.6.9. Characters make gestures, point to other characters; "X offers to / mimics
[any action]”
B.6.10. Characters carry/lead/lift/conduct people/corpses on/off/over the stage
(“X gives Y to Z”; "X brings in/ pulls out Y").
B.6.11. Characters pursue other characters.
B.6.13. Characters take off/put on garments or objects from/to other
characters.
B.6.15. Physical and non-physical interaction of amorous kind (courting, wooing,
flirting).
B.6.16. A character addresses another who is offstage.
B.6.17. Characters play dice, cards, and so on.
B.6.18. Doctors, surgeons, quacks examining a body, healing, dressing
patients/medical practices.
B.6.19. Staining, painting, altering someone's original colour by contact.

B.7. CROWDS AND GROUPS ON STAGE (+ de cinco personajes)

 
B.8. CHARACTERS, MUSICIANS, SINGERS, DANCERS, CHORUS AND CLOWNS
PLAY INSTRUMENTS, SING, DANCE ON STAGE.

B.9. PAUSES IN THE STAGE BUSINESS.

B.10. CHARACTERS SMOKE.

B.11. CHARACTERS AT WORK (scene of people working).

B.12. GESTURES SUGGESTING DARKNESS (e.g., “Groping in the dark”)

B.13. CHARACTERS READ OR WRITE

B.14. CHARACTERS LOOK AT THEMSELVES IN A MIRROR (“GLASS), LOOK

FOR/ON OBJECTS THEY CARRY, OBSERVE/KISS/ADDRESS OBJECTS.

B.15. CHARACTERS EAT OR DRINK.

3
B.16. CHARACTERS ENGAGE IN ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES OTHER THAN SINGING,
DANCING, OR PLAYING MUSIC.

B.17 CHARACTERS PERFORM BODILY FUNCTIONS: spit, belch, puke, throw up,
flatulence, defecation, or another excretory function.

C. WITH FOCUS ON SPECIAL EFFECTS / REFERENCES TO

SPECIAL EFFECTS
C.1. ONSTAGE SOUNDS
(Also when characters make noise with their hands or feet, or objects; e.g., "Thunder",
"Music", "Clapping")
 
C.2. OFFSTAGE SOUNDS AND EFFECTS
(Note: events that take place offstage are normally indicated with the formula "within",
e.g., "Sound of fight within")

C.3. SUGGESTING NIGHT AND DARKNESS (THROUGH OBJECTS: CANDLES,

LANTERNS, TORCHES, OR COSTUME)

C.4. REAL OR FEIGNED MAGIC AND THE SUPERNATURAL (e.g., “thunder and
lightning,” supernatural practices).

C.5. MASQUES AND PLAY-WITHIN-THE-PLAY PRACTICES (pageants and other types

of dramatic entertainments).

C.6. OBJECTS THROWN FROM OFFSTAGE OR FROM ABOVE.

C.7. FIRE ON STAGE.

C.8 USE OF MACHINES.

D. PROPS ON STAGE / REFERENCES TO PROPS

D.1. DOMESTIC ELEMENTS
D.1.1. Bell
D.1.2. Containers for solid goods (baskets, trays, boxes, bags [except those included
in D.2.2.], trunks, cornucopia, etc.); pipes; portmanteau.
D.1.3. Carpets/cloths/cloath/towel
D.1.4. Curtains/cushions
D.1.5. Cutlery/Crockery (a set).
D.1.6. Drinks
D.1.6.1. Wine
D.1.6.2. Ale
D.1.6.3. Beer

4
 D.1.6.4. Other alcoholic beverages
D.1.6.5. Other non-alcoholic beverages
D.1.7. Flowers/garlands/fruits
D.1.8. Food.
D.1.9. Container for liquids (bottles, glasses, cups, hogshead, basin, bucket).
D.1.10. Keys.
D.1.11. Letters/papers/documents/scroll/[sealing] wax/pens and writing
material (tablebook, notebook, inkhorn)/official documents (i.e., a charter,
decree, reprieve)/almanac/deed.
D.1.12. Tables/chairs/ benches/cupboards/cabinets/stools
(literally)/seats/platforms of any kind
D.1.13. Mirrors ('glass').
D.1.14. Medicines, bandages, linen, plaster, quack medicines.
D.1.15.Candles/lights/torches/lanterns/lanthorn/flambeau(x).
D.1.16. Ladders/ropes.
D.1.17. Beds/couches.
D.1.18. Urinals/toilet stools.
D.1.19. Bellows/rakes/shades (tools associated with fireplaces)/cooking
utensils/cauldrons.
D.1.20. Brooms/besom.
D.1.21. Blankets/sheets/bed clothes/pillows.
D.1.22. Scissors, needles, spindle.

D.2. PERSONAL POSSESSIONS

D.2.1. Books/magazines/gazettes/periodicals.
D.2.2. Money/gold/silver/farthings / Bags of
money/wallets/satchels/pockets /purses.
D.2.3. Cards/dice/backgammon.
D.2.4. Combs.
D.2.5. Fans.
D.2.6. Spectacles/glasses / perspective glasses.
D.2.7. Handkerchiefs/napkins/serviettes/towels.
D.2.8. Jewels (bracelets, chain, rings, hair-lockets, medallions).
D.2.9. Weapons (swords/daggers/cudgels/knives/arrows/bows/scabbards/
beater/spear/fl(e)uret).
D.2.10. Tobacco (boxes/tobacco/pipes), snuff-box.
D.2.11. Watches /clocks.
D.2.12. Sticks/staffs/batons/canes/sceptres/rod/whip/switch.
D.2.13. Pictures/drawings/portraits.
D.2.14. Fire weapons (pistol, musket), bullets.
D.2.15. Tools related to different masculine and feminine professions.
D.2.16. Essence, perfume, odour.

D.3. ELEMENTS OF COSTUME

D.3.1. Breeches/canon/skirts.
D.3.2. Capes/cloak/coat/jackets/manteau.
D.3.3. Gowns/petticoats/coats/unspecified garments/equipage.
D.3.4. Hats/caps/feathers/"fool's cap"/Bongrace
D.3.5. Wigs/false beards/patches/false hair/false whiskers/peruke/periwig.

5
 D.3.6. Helmets/crowns.
D.3.7. Hoods/vizards/masks/veils/disguises (feathers dress, sheet).
D.3.8. Any kind of fabric material (for cloth making); patterns -design in
dressmaking; a set of instructions to be followed in sewing or knitting an item.
D.3.9. Nightgowns/nightdresses/nightcaps/night-clothes/night attire.
D.3.10. Ribbons/laces/embroidery/bands/garters.
D.3.11. Shoes/slippers/boots/others.
D.3.12. Stomachers.
D.3.13. Farthingales.
D.3.14. Scarves.
D.3.15. Aprons.
D.3.16. Gloves.
D.3.17. Hoses/calzon/stockings/drawers.
D.3.18. Shirts/vests/doublets/waistcoat.
D.3.19. Armour/pieces of armour./fake armours
D.3.20. Belts/girdles.
D.3.21. Ruffs/collars/ties/cravats/gorgets/trails.
D.3.22. Livery, uniform, suit, habit, surplice, [magistrate's] gown.
D.3.23. Undress, dishabille.
D.3.24. Pin(s)

D.4. UNCOMMON OBJECTS

D.4.1. Stag-head.
D.4.2. Tub.
D.4.3. Plants/Trees/fences/hedges/bushes/logs/arbour.
D.4.4. Instruments of torture (halters/binding or hanging
staff/shackles/pillory/manacles/chains).
D.4.5. Drums/tambourines/castanets/rattles/cymbals/humming-top.
D.4.6. Banners/bills/advertisements/placards.
D.4.7. Crutches/wooden legs.
D.4.8. Altars.
D.4.9. Animals.
D.4.10. Stones/Bricks/brick-bats /clay /pottery /earth(en)ware.
D.4.11. Wind/string musical instruments.
D.4.12. Objects associated with magic and magical practices: wand, magic elixir,
healing stones, balls of fate, etc.
D.4.13. Dolls/dummies/statues/fake children and people.
D.4.14. Coffins/hearses/palls/biers/cages.
D.4.15. Wood/straw.
D.4.16. Angling rods/fishing tools.
D.4.17. Machines/engines.
D.4.18. Puppet theatres/pageants/pavillions.
D.4.19. Maypoles/poles.
D.4.20. Canopies.
D.4.21. Globes.
D.4.22. Horseshoes.
D.4.23. Fountains.
D.4.24. Boats.
D.4.25. Screens.

6
 D.4.26. Ass heads or ass ears/horns (of all sorts).
D.4.27. Any kind of vehicle (e.g., sedan chairs, chariot, cart, wagon, carriage, post-
Chaise, wheelbarrow).
D.4.28. Sacks/large bags and baskets.
D.4.29. Fake part of the human body (except hair) or of an animal: head, eye,
eyebrow, leg, teeth, etc.
D.4.30. Any item related to explosives (e.g., "mustard-bowl", "saltpeter").
D.4.32. Hobby-horse.
D.4.33. Hoops.
D.4.34. Shroud, winding sheet.
D.4.35. Religious objects: crucifixes, rosaries, relics, beads.
D.4.36. Sportive equipment.
D.4.37. Painting and drawing equipment
D.4.38. Orange peels or any other types of waste brought on stage.
D.4.39. Horse-equipment.
D.4.40. Whistles.
D.4.41. Mathematical instruments.
D.4.42. Stretaphon; speaking tube; any device to amplify the voice.

E. NON-PERFORMATIVE DIRECTIONS

Referencia bibliográfica:
Restoration Comedy Project
Catalogue of Stage Directions
https://institucional.us.es/restoration/rcp/login.php