Just above the stage, before the restoration, in 2005. in the Theatre of Orange. The central niche contains a 3.5-meter-high (11 ft) statue of the emperor Augustus, although this was most likely a restoration of an original statue of Apollo, the god of music and the arts.
The central door, below the niche containing this statue, is called the Royal Door, or valva regia. This door was used only by the most important, principal actors to enter and exit the stage. Above the door was a frieze decorated with centaurs, which is no longer there but is instead on display across the street in the Orange Museum (unfortunately only remains are left). The stage was covered with a modern platform when the theatre began to be used again for operas and other performances.
Note: see a frieze of Centaurs from in the musem in Paris on page 12.
Recreated and uploaded December 30, 2021
Photo album created by M. M. Meehan
created with Web Album Generator
