Theater and amphitheater as structural elements of parks, gardens, garden and park ensembles of the 17th-20th centuries

Theater as a place for spectacles is a form of social consciousness, a means of ideological and aesthetic education of the population. Theater reflects the peculiarities of the development of society and is related to its culture. The desire in different periods to harmoniously combine nature and culture, green theaters, and other green scenes has always reflected the tastes and fashions of a certain era. The history of the development of garden theaters in the European countries, including Ukraine, is considered. The types of theaters on the territory of historical gardens, parks, estates, palace and park complexes, and garden and park ensembles of Europe and North America of the XVII-XX centuries are studied. The history and evolution of the development of the main types of theater buildings are characterized and their differences are given. The preconditions for the emergence and popularization of open-air theaters have been clarified. The terms - garden, green, air, summer theaters - are analyzed and generalized. Based on the research, the classification and definition of a garden theater (amphitheater) are proposed. Garden theaters are types and varieties of theaters (forest, landscape, green, air, water, summer, stone, mechanical, palace) and amphitheaters (stone, lawn), located on the territory of gardens, parks, garden and park ensembles. They can be open-air (temporary), closed (permanent), combined (cooperation of temporary and permanent theaters). On the territory of gardens, parks, garden and park ensembles, several types or varieties of theaters or a theater and an amphitheater can be located, the amphitheater can be part of a theater. A comparative analysis of green, water theaters and other theaters is given. The characteristic features of the location of theaters in the planning structure of the studied objects, including elements of topiary art and an assortment of plants for green, water, air, and summer theaters, are revealed.