Simple question.
How were operas and stage plays lighted before the advent of the electric light? How could the actors, props, and stage settings be sufficiently well lighted for an auditorium-full of theatergoers to be able to see them?
(1) Lots of candles.
(2) Open air theatres, only in the day time (this was the solution in Shakespeare’s day, for theatres like the Globe)
I’m pretty sure they just used candles, or some sort of fire at least. I remember reading that they had a sort of parabolic mirror (like a headlight) and stuck the candle or torch or whatever in a hole at the focus. Then you could move the lights around on a swivel, like spotlights, just like you can today. Eventually they started using gas, and finally, electric light. I’m sure, though, that somebody more knowledgeable than me will come around shortly to give you the whole story.
There was also Limelight and gas lighting.
I found this page regarding the gas lighting era.
Thanks for the informative responses.
I was prompted to ask this question on having watched Gaslight over the weekend. While watching it, it occurred to me how pleasant it would be to have a couple gas bridge lamps to light while watching TV or using the computer. 
Believe it or not , back in the 20’s and 30’s you could get gas powered radios. This employed a thermocouple device which was heated in a gas flame. useful if you did not have electricity in the house.
The Blackfriars theatre (which Shakespeare was part owner of) was indoor and lit by candles. I recall it was mostly used in the winter, where the warmth was worth the decreased light.
Oddly enough, it appears that very old houses sometimes still contain gaslight lines: I was reading that in the early 1960s, a precursor to the hippie culture in the Haight Ashbury district was a archaistic fad including, among other things, reconnecting the the gaspipes that went to bridge and chandelier lights, and using gaslight instead of electricity. Of course, that was forty years ago and maybe by this time all those old houses have been irrevocably altered so that would no longer be possible. Nevertheless, it’s interesting that gas, as a utility, is still going strong after all these years.
It’s too bad…for certain situations, interior gas lighting would be a lot more attractive than bulbs, and cleaner than smoky, drippy candles.
Speaking in the past tense of gaslight is a little odd–you can still buy them new. They’re a bit on the expensive side, especially for the more decorative ones, but no more than fancy electric lamps. They’re not a thing of the past by any means.
There are still houses without electricity and no means of obtaining it short of a generator. Relatively few people own them as primary residences (I do know of one woman) but many people here have powerless vacation homes. Gaslights are big in such situations. They’re much more convenient than kerosene and safer than candles. These aren’t old houses either, I know of one built just two years ago lit entirely with gas. Even when power is available, they’re not a rare thing to have. I’ve got two installed in my basement. Mine are old, though, probably from the '60s. Very nice, soft white light, with an ever-so-slightly greenish tint.
These all have mantles. Open flame gaslights are, of course, much less bright and not very practical–more decorative than anything else. I’m not sure if you can still get them for interior use, but for porch lights and lamp posts you certainly can. Some are even electric start, so you don’t have to manually light them.
So if you wanted to have gaslight installed, how would you go about it? Are there contractors/repairers who specialize in piping for gaslight? Or would the gas company do it, presumably for a hefty fee?
There is absolutely nothing fancy or highly technical about installing gas lighting. Any technician capably of doing it for furnaces and hot water heaters could handle gaslights. I know my gas company will install outdoor gaslights; they even advertise it in bill inserts. I have little doubt if I had a big wad of cash I could get gaslight installed. If they don’t do it direct, they’d know contractors.
Back in '81 (1981), I performed in a summer-stock troupe in an old opera house (c1910) in Upstate New York, which still had its original footlights. As we were doing a 19th-century play, the producers thought it would be “fun” to use the footlights, which still had the gas jets.
Not only was the light produced miniscule (though it blinded us onstage), but we had a snowstorm consisting of newspaper scraps thrown from the catwalks, and I am still amazed we didn’t go up in flames every night.
–Lillian “Nipsey” Russell
I don’t think so. But you could get a refrigerator that operated on kerosene or bottled gas.
Here’s a little something on the Iroquois Theater fire in 1903. Caused by lights touching flammable scenery.
Robin
I knew someone would call you a liar on that one. I knew the gas radio existed. I’m glad you had the link.
Cecil wrote a article on Lime light which I again can’t find with the search function.
The gas powered radio was shown on our local TV station, who were doing a feature about the Leicester Gas Museum. The power source for the radio was a large metal plate which was heated in a gas flame. I presume this was a thermocouple type device which produced electricity from heat.
There is one place in London that still has gas street lamps. They can be found in the Middle Temple This is part of the Inns Of Court, the area of London where many barristers have their offices.
As does Glen Ridge and South Orange, NJ.
I only know this because I’m moving to the next town over, and had this pointed out to me specifically by the real estate agent. They are very quaint, and appropriate for a small, wealthy town, but not even remotely as bright as an electric street lamp.