> There was apparently at the time very little distinction between performance and medicine: even things like surgeries were performed in front of an audience,

> There was apparently at the time very little distinction between performance and medicine: even things like surgeries were performed in front of an audience, with the additional side benefit of healing the audience. At which time? We still do surgery in theatres. As recently as 100 years ago, operating theatres were designed like lecture theatres, with rows of seats for the audience.