Ambient smell has long been a feature of live performance, no matter whether its presence was intentional or not. While, once upon a time, the incidental presence of malodour was an inevitable feature of proceedings, the deliberate use of scent can actually be traced all the way back to the earliest rituals. This review attempts to trace the long history of scent’s use in processions, pageants, and, most important, performance. From Shakespeare’s time onward, scent has been used as an atmospheric/ambient cue. It has been used to create a certain mood, to trigger memories/nostalgia, and, on occasion, it has also served a narrative role. While the use of scent has often been merely illustrative (or pleonastic), there have been numerous occasions where olfactory stimulation has taken on a far more important evaluative role, critical or otherwise. Most often, this has been in the theatre, but also on occasion in the context of the opera, musical, ballet, and comedy too. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in scenting live performance/entertainment, especially in the context of highly immersive and experiential multisensory events. While high-tech solutions to scent delivery have been a prominent feature of its use in the cinema, low-tech solutions have more often been incorporated in the live-performance setting. This and a number of other important differences between scent’s use in the theatrical versus cinematic setting are highlighted.

长期以来，周围的气味一直是现场表演的特征，无论它是否存在都是故意的。曾几何时，恶臭的偶然出现是诉讼程序的必然特征，而故意使用气味实际上可以追溯到最早的仪式。这篇综述试图追溯在游行，选美以及最重要的表演中使用香气的悠久历史。从莎士比亚时代开始，气味就被用作大气/氛围的提示。它已被用来营造某种情绪，引发记忆/怀旧，有时还起到了叙事的作用。尽管气味的使用通常只是说明性的（或渗透性的），但在很多情况下，嗅觉刺激起着更为重要的评估作用，无论是关键作用还是其他作用。多数情况下，这是在剧院中，但有时在歌剧，音乐剧，芭蕾舞和喜剧中也是如此。近年来，人们对重新散发现场表演/娱乐性的兴趣重新兴起，尤其是在高度沉浸和体验式的多感官事件中。虽然高科技的解决方案已成为其在电影院中使用的突出特点，但低端技术的解决方案通常会被整合到现场表演中。在剧院和电影环境中使用香精之间的差异以及其他一些重要区别也得到了强调。特别是在高度沉浸和体验式的多感官事件中。虽然高科技的解决方案已成为其在电影院中使用的突出特点，但低端技术的解决方案通常会被整合到现场表演中。在剧院和电影环境中使用香精之间的差异以及其他一些重要区别也得到了强调。特别是在高度沉浸和体验式的多感官事件中。虽然高科技的解决方案已成为其在电影院中使用的突出特点，但低端技术的解决方案通常会被整合到现场表演中。在剧院和电影环境中使用香精之间的差异以及其他一些重要区别也得到了强调。