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Which special effects were used in medieval mystery plays?
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Western theatre
Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe Ani, from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, c. 1275 bce.
Medieval mystery plays utilized a variety of sophisticated stage machinery and special effects to create vivid, immersive spectacles for their audiences. These productions often featured elaborate devices to represent the supernatural and miraculous events central to biblical narratives.123
Common special effects and machinery included:
- Flying Machinery: Pulleys, windlasses, and hidden systems were used to simulate the flight of angels, souls, and other characters.143
- Hellās Mouth: A iconic property representing the entrance to hell, often designed as a monsterās head with moving jaws. It was frequently equipped to emit fire, smoke, and the sounds of the damned.1453
- Trapdoors: These were employed for sudden appearances, disappearances, and the substitution of actors with dummies during scenes of graphic violence or martyrdom.143
- Atmospheric Effects: Heaven was often raised above other stages and sometimes featured turning spheres and concealed torches to create a golden, divine light.3
- Realistic Properties: Productions used complex props, such as models of whales or arks, to enhance the realism of specific scenes. In instances of martyrdom, such as burning at the stake, dummies stuffed with bones and entrails were used to create realistic effects, including the smell of burning.23