unencumbered

[PINKGREAT]

What does 'unencumbered' means in the sentence:

'The stage was a simple affair, a split-level oval floor unencumbered by proscenium or backdrop.'

Thanks in advance,

Olga

[Anglika]

The theatre has been constructed so that the stage is in the centre, not at one end with an arch over it. An example is the Swan Theatre in Stratford: http://www.sunysccc.edu/academic/conted/img/stage.jpg

[zeryphex]

What does 'unencumbered' means in the sentence:

'The stage was a simple affair, a split-level oval floor unencumbered by proscenium or backdrop.'

Thanks in advance,

Olga

The theatre has been constructed so that the stage is in the centre, not at one end with an arch over it. An example is the Swan Theatre in Stratford: http://www.sunysccc.edu/academic/conted/img/stage.jpg

To add, "unencumbered" could further mean not taking-up space from or distracting viewers toward the stage. It could be another way of saying that the "stage setup" was simpler and not as elaborate as some other theater stages are. "Unencumbered" is just adding to the "simple affair" mentioned earlier in the sentence.