The stage setup is essential to the production of Kabuki plays. Stage left, kamite, is usually where you see the important or high ranking characters. Stage right, shimote, is usually where low ranking characters are. Many stages have a catwalk, revolving sections, trapdoors, and scenic backdrops. Sets played a large part in the performance - plays would open with realistic scenes that would later change. They were theatrically realistic because the audience wanted a lot of scenery and to be able to see where the play was occurring. This resulted in the use of detailed sets. In the audience, there was a courtesan’ section where people of all classes could mingle and interact freely. On the stage, the seri was a platform that could be raised and lowered. The mawaributai was a revolving stage. The kikiwari was painted scenery and props. Shamisen was music performed on the upper stage, which was the degatari-dai.