drop scene

American  

noun

Theater.

1. a drop curtain, often of painted or dyed canvas, located downstage and used as the backdrop for a scene played while the set upstage is being changed.

2. a scene or act played with less intensity than the preceding one.

3. the last scene of an act or play.

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Etymology

Origin of drop scene

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

drop scene

The drop scene was used in the city’s only theater in the early 1800s to entertain audiences between shows in the early days of stage performances in New England.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 13, 2019

The drop scene was used in the city’s only theater in the early 1800s to entertain audiences between shows.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 13, 2019

The frescoes are of the usual drop scene, barocco, academic kind, but where the damp has spared them they form an effective background.

From Ex Voto by Butler, Samuel

The rear was flooded with light, streaming in where the wall had been, and through open doors they saw the houses opposite filling in the background like the drop scene at a theater.

From Treasure and Trouble Therewith A Tale of California by Bonner, Geraldine

Through the centre of the rear drop scene is seen a small chamber in which is a suit of armor standing upright.

From Magic In which are given clear and concise explanations of all the well-known illusions as well as many new ones. by Stanton, Ellis