Pirate Prince
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: The Lazdinay Theater was a location used in "Chasing a Rumor On Samovar". I intend to use it again in future RPs.
- Image Credit: Flickr, Mariinsky Theater, Lobby, Stage
- Canon: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Links: Samovar
- Structure Name: Lazdinay Theater
- Classification: Theater
- Location: At the far end of Lazdinay Avenue, in the capital city of Melekess, on the planet Samovar
- Affiliation: The Olenskan Empire
- Accessibility: Located on a busy major avenue in the planetary capital, the Theater is fully open to the public, but ticket prices are very steep and formal wear is a requirement to get in.
- Description: Straight from the thread that started it all: "At the very end of the street, faintly visible through the snow, there stood a massive building gloriously lit from within. Figures carved in relief covered the stone walls and angelic statues perched on the roof, looking down at anyone who passed by like gods observing mortals. This was the Lazdinay Theater, a favorite haunt of the nobility, for they were the only ones wealthy enough to afford tickets."
(Take note that I am only subbing the areas of the theater which are open to the public - naturally there are more rooms than this, especially in the backstage area, but they are off limits to anyone who isn't employed with the Theater. If you want to have your character go to these backstage areas, you are welcome to RP that, but you will have to invent them yourself.)
Lobby & Booking Office - The first area beyond the main entrance, the architecture and style of this area is markedly different from the auditorium. I am told this is because the lobby is a much more recent addition to the building. Includes two staircases (only one is pictured; the other is directly across from it and has an identical design) to allow for ease of access to the upper balconies of the theater, supply closets, refresher facilities, and the ruthless ticketman, who will mock you and deny you entrance into the theater if your attire does not meet his standards of formal wear.
SECURITY
Maximum (Civilian Location)
While I was not acutely aware of it during my visit, the security at the Lazdinay Theater rivals that of the Tsar's Palace. Samovarans take their art very seriously, this is true, but the reason for such heavy security at the Theater has more to do with the high profile people that regularly attend its performances. The Theater is a hub of elite activity; members of the nobility have been known to carry out political business during performances, conveniently screened by their private boxes and drowned out by the music of the orchestra. The Theater upholds a strict no weapons policy; at the entrance there is a hidden scanner designed to detect smuggled blasters, lightsabers, blades, explosives, etc. There are uniformed guards patrolling the lobby and plain-clothes police mingle with the more common audience seated down below - this is without even mentioning the private bodyguards which may accompany the audience members, even having their own reserved seating.
The only weakness in the security that I have found so far is biots, as the scanners are apparently not designed to penetrate flesh.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Constructed around two hundred years ago, the Lazdinay Theater is a monument to the opulence and grandiosity of the ruling Olenskan Empire, built shortly after they finally subdued both their historical enemies, the Antreans and the Dacians. It has since become not only a major entertainment venue, but a meeting spot for members of the nobility to discuss various affairs. For instance, during my visit to Samovar while doing business with the noble Astapov family, I was asked to meet them in their private box at the Theater. It is a common sight to see people getting up and moving to a different box in the middle of a performance; as long as they do not disturb anyone or disrupt the show, all is well.
The theater shows a variety of performances, primarily of a highbrow nature (opera, ballet, orchestra, choir), but in the past it has also hosted circus acts and rock concerts. You will also notice that while Samovar is infamous for its xenophobia, they are more tolerant of alien and offworlder performers (as long as the performers are good). There isn't necessarily a limit to what can be shown on this stage - aside from pornography and grand guignol - and for that reason it remains one of the more interesting landmarks in Melekess, and perhaps on all of Samovar.
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