The History and Power of Intermissions

You might not have thought about the origins and historical significance of intermissions, yet they play a fascinating and vital role in theater. They provide a valuable opportunity for creative set changes and building anticipation among the audience, as well as allowing for social interactions and concession purchases during the break. Let's explore the importance of taking a break and the creative freedoms it enables.

The practice of intermissions in theater, known alternatively as intervals or breaks, formalized in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, but date back centuries. In ancient Greece and Rome we have the earliest forms of intermissions with the structure of plays themselves often designed to incorporate natural breaks. In ancient Greek theatre, for example, plays were usually divided into sections separated by choral odes, providing brief pauses in the action. These intervals allowed for set changes, costume alterations, and gave the audience moments to reflect on the play's themes. In Roman theatre, the concept of an intermission was also quite structured, often featuring separate entertainments like musical performances, comedic sketches, or recitations during these breaks. These interludes not only offered a pause in the main event but also added variety to the overall experience.

It's interesting to note that these early forms of intermissions served both artistic and practical purposes, much like today. The evolution of theater during the 17th and 18th centuries was marked by playwrights delving into more complex narratives and character development. As a result, the duration of shows increased significantly, necessitating the introduction of intermissions. The concept of an intermission has since become a fundamental aspect of live performances, offering a structured pause during which viewers can reflect, socialize, and anticipate the continuation of the story.

Interestingly, the concept of an intermission was initially met with some resistance. Critics and traditionalists believed that it could break the emotional and dramatic flow of the performance. A key reason for doing away with intermissions is to maintain the story's continuous flow and emotional buildup. Intermissions can interrupt the audience's engagement and momentum in movies, plays, and operas, breaking the immersive experience. Additionally, eliminating these breaks can shorten the overall duration of performances, appealing to contemporary audiences who might favor briefer forms of entertainment due to their fast-paced lives or reduced attention spans. For theaters and cinemas, this could mean more screenings each day and potentially higher earnings. It would also decrease the number of staff needed throughout the performance, as there would be no intermission to oversee.

However, the practical benefits soon became clear. Not only do intermissions provide patrons an opportunity to stretch and socialize, but there is solid economic benefit to the venues that offer refreshments and snacks. A well timed intermission with a wide array of pleasures available can significantly boost concession sales, contributing to the venue's overall revenue. This economic advantage has been so pronounced that some venues have even optimized the timing and duration of intermissions based on consumer behavior data. The advanced features of payment processors allows some of the more sophisticated management platforms to provide real-time analytics on sales during intermissions, enabling venues to adapt their offerings and pricing strategies dynamically.

Moreover, intermissions can also be an opportunity for venues to promote upcoming events or sell merchandise, helping to provide future streams of income through this subtle form of free advertisement. In some cases, sponsors and advertisers leverage the intermission to engage with the audience through various forms of in-house advertising, such as digital screens or live announcements. And the obvious benefit to the cast is clear: intermissions offer a much-needed break for performers to rest, change costumes, or prepare for the next act. This can be especially vital in physically or emotionally demanding performances, where a short respite can greatly affect the quality of the show.

Let's also consider the additional advantages that intermissions provide to the audience. Strategically timing a break during a suspenseful moment or cliffhanger in the narrative can significantly enhance the audience's engagement. This pause allows patrons to eagerly discuss and speculate on the unfolding story, heightening anticipation and excitement. The shared speculation and debate during this break not only amplify the communal experience of the audience but also allow for a moment of collective breath and emotional processing. This can make the return to the narrative even more impactful, as the audience is re-engaged, their curiosity piqued, and their emotional investment deepened. In this way, intermissions serve as both a social catalyst and a narrative tool, enriching the overall experience.

Of course intermissions can be a double-edged sword, it's crucial to strike a balance. Extending the intermission too long in the pursuit of higher sales can disrupt the flow of the performance and risk diminishing the audience's engagement. And shorter performances or those with a more intimate setting might find an intermission disruptive rather than beneficial. In such cases, alternatives like pre-show or post-show engagement strategies might be more appropriate. Therefore, understanding the optimal timing and offerings for an intermission is key.

In the modern era, intermissions have also found utility helping to manage crowd flow and offer targeted concessions, among other logistical advantages. Thus, what began as a simple break in a performance has evolved into a multifaceted tool that benefits both audiences, the cast, and event organizers alike.

Although not technically intermissions, pre-show and post-show audience engagements serve a similar purpose. Pre-show engagement strategies might include opening the venue's bars or concession stands well before the start of the performance. Special offers or bundles can be advertised to encourage early arrivals and increase sales. Information about upcoming shows or merchandise can also be displayed or announced to the audience as they gather.

Post-show engagement, on the other hand, might involve keeping concession stands open for a period after the performance has ended or organizing a "meet and greet" with the performers. This not only increases the time patrons spend at the venue—thereby increasing the opportunity for additional sales—but also adds value to the overall experience.

If an intermission uses musical elements and its own ‘mini-play’ to help blend one act into another while the cast changes and prepares behind the curtain, it can be called an entr’acte. An entr’acte is typically a break in a play or performance that includes its own musical or theatrical performance. The Spanish had their own version of an entracte called a sainete. These small one act plays may seem of little importance, but they allowed authors to create nested plays or ‘plays within plays’ that enhanced the entire event. The evolution of intermissions is notably marked by creative expressions, where sometimes an entr'acte or sainete becomes a highlight or enriches the main performance with a detailed subplot. Shakespeare notably employed the meta-theatrical technique of a play-within-a-play in many of his works, including "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Love's Labour's Lost." "The Taming of the Shrew" is almost entirely framed as a play presented to deceive a character, Christopher Sly, into believing he is a nobleman, although this framing device is often omitted in contemporary adaptations because it doesn't directly impact the main plot. The musical "Kiss Me, Kate" incorporates a similar concept, revolving around a production of "The Taming of the Shrew" and interweaving scenes from the Shakespearean play. Similarly, "Pericles" references the 14th-century work "Confessio Amantis" by John Gower, using Gower's ghost to introduce and comment on the play to the audience. These instances illustrate how intermissions and framing devices have been used to add layers, commentary, or entirely separate narratives to the main story, showcasing a rich tradition of theatrical innovation.

The intermission, often seen merely as a break in a performance, holds its own as a powerful framing device that significantly influences the audience's experience. Even when not intended to be a distinct narrative element, it serves as a psychological and emotional boundary, allowing viewers to digest and anticipate the unfolding story. It can set the stage for a dramatic second act, give audiences a moment to engage with each other and the performance, and subtly shift the narrative's pacing and tension. This pause, whether filled with additional performance elements or simply serving as a break, is a testament to the nuanced art of storytelling, demonstrating that even the absence of action can be a critical component of the theatrical experience. As such, intermissions embody a unique form of narrative power, contributing to the depth and richness of theatrical and cinematic experiences.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_within_a_story

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermission

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki