concept
Provaly (Stage Trapdoors)
trapdoor drops
also: провалы
Stage trapdoors used for characters or props to sink dramatically out of sight, a stock special effect of the spectacular fairground-style productions Chekhov parodies in the play.
Reading notes
- Chaos in Rome §3 trapdoor drops
"Провалы" (literally "collapses" or "cave-ins") refers to stage trapdoors used for characters or props to sink dramatically out of sight -- a stock special effect of the spectacular fairground-style productions Chekhov is parodying, and one the play itself later exploits when the Operetta sinks through one.