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How did Hell’s Mouth create dramatic effects in medieval theatre?

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Ancient Egyptian illustration from the Book of the Dead showing Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe Ani, with gods seated above and hieroglyphic text throughout. — Western theatre Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe Ani, from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, c. 1275 bce.

In medieval theatre, the Hell’s Mouth was a dramatic property designed to represent the entrance to the netherworld, typically positioned at the opposite end of the playing area from heaven.1

To create vivid and terrifying effects, the structure was often shaped like the gaping jaws of a monster, sometimes featuring moving joints. The production of these scenes was highly elaborate; the entrance was designed to emit fire, smoke, and the cries of the damned to heighten the spectacle. In some instances, hell was depicted as a fortified town, which allowed for dramatic sequences such as Jesus Christ forcing open the gates to liberate captive souls.21

The complexity of these effects grew significantly by the 15th century, requiring substantial technical support. For example, a production at a theatre in Mons, Belgium, required 17 people solely to operate the machinery and effects associated with the hell scenes.1