combining form of Gr. θέατρον THEATRE. Theatrocracy (Gr. θεατροκρατία), absolute power exercised by the ancient Athenian democracy, as exhibited at their assemblies in the theatre; ochlocracy. Theatrograph [-GRAPH]: see and quot. Theatromania [-MANIA: cf. Gr. θεατρομανής mad after plays], excessive fondness for theatre-going; so Theatromaniac, one who is ‘mad’ on theatre-going. Theatrophil [-PHIL], a lover of the theatre; a theatre-goer. Theatrophobia [-PHOBIA], horror of theatres and theatre-going. Theatrophone [-PHONE]: see quot. 1891. Theatropolis [Gr. πόλις city], a town or district famous for its theatres. Theatroscope [-SCOPE] = KINEMATOGRAPH.
1820. T. Mitchell, Aristoph., I. p. cxi. They form the best comment on what Plato somewhere calls the *theatrocracy of Athens.
1877. Ruskin, Fors Clav., lxxiii. 18. Instead of aristocracy … rose up a certain polluted theatrocracy.
1896. Daily Chron., 23 March, 3/4. At Olympia … the large audiences have been greatly pleased with Mr. Paul’s *‘Theatrograph,’ comprising realistic scenes from popular plays.
1896. Daily News, 2 Dec., 10/5. The theatrograph, now so popular at the music-halls…. The effect of the theatrograph is produced by means of an ingenious apparatus, which causes an intermittent light to fall upon the living performers, who thus assume the hazy, tremulous appearance of the animated pictures.
1891. Cent. Dict., *Theatromania.
1903. Times, Lit. Supp., 17 July, 226/2. Your theatromania will lead to the production of the very worst type of bad play. Ibid. Lamb was a *theatromaniac … without the dramatic faculty.
1901. Referee, 26 May, 7 (Cass. Supp.). A point for *theatrophiles.
1839. Darley, in Beaum. & Fletcher’s Wks., I. Introd. 29. I must acknowledge this sect justified … in its most reasonable *theatro-phobia.
1891. Pall Mall G., 29 May, 6/2. The *theatrophone (writes a Paris correspondent) is intended to transmit, by means of a clever adaptation … of the ordinary telephone, everything audible which goes on upon the stage of the various … theatres. Ibid., 10 Dec., 6/3. The theatrophone has found its way from Paris to London, and a preliminary trial has been made at the Savoy Hotel with complete success.
1897. ‘Ouida,’ Massarenes, xviii. A modern woman of the world. As costly as an ironclad and as complicated as a theatrophone.
1899. E. Callow, Old Lond. Tav., II. 302. The Gaiety commences what may be termed the *Theatropolis of London.
1904. Edin. Rev., Oct., 298. Paris has not been theatropolis all these years for nothing.
1896. Daily News, 31 March, 7/6. A *theatroscope, the animated photography of which gives the audience specimens of burlesque, contortionist, and other scenes.
