theatre-in-the-round

Theatrical performance that has the audience watching from all sides. In a reaction to the picture-frame stage of the 19th century, a movement began in the mid-20th century to design theatres with the performing area placed centrally in the auditorium. Notable examples are the Arena Stage in Washington, DC, USA (1961) and the Royal Exchange in Manchester, England (1976).

The concept was promoted in productions by Margo Jones (1913–1955) in Dallas, USA, who wrote a book on her work, Theater-in-the-Round (1951).