Things to Know About Curtains

Theatre curtains come in a wide selection of designs, sizes, fabrics and colours. They are utilized in venues including theatres, concert halls, and opera homes, performing art centres, college halls and churches. The most essential stage drape is the front-of-home curtain, which is the visual barrier in between the audience and the stage. In smaller sized theatres this frequently consists of two curtains that component horizontally, whilst in big theatres they can raise vertically. There are other styles of opening such as Venetian curtains that have lift lines across the rear that raise the curtain by gathering it up from the bottom, Austrian curtains that have the fabric hanging in swags in between the lift lines, and contour curtains which have lift lines that can be independently raised and lowered to present the curtain opening various shapes.

Front-of-home curtains are frequently produced of velvet or velour, which offers a plush look and is great at blocking sound and light. Sometimes satin is utilized exactly where sheen is preferred, and metallic weaves can be added for a glittering look. These fabrics are lighter than velvet and will need lining. Heavy weight wool is a different selection as it is great at sound deadening and is sturdy. From a security viewpoint it is also a great thought to look at flame retardant material.

Other styles of stage curtains include things like valance curtains, teasers, backdrop curtains, cycloramas, masking curtains, stage gauze and scrims. A valance is a quick horizontal masking curtain which is traditionally produced from the very same material as the front-of-home curtain. It frames the stage and adds a touch of elegance. Teasers and tormentors are placed upstage of the proscenium arch to lower the opening, or to reshape it. They can be fixed or movable.

Backdrop curtains are hung at the back of the stage and are often produced of seamless cotton fabric. These are painted to present scenery. Cycloramas are big curtains positioned at the back of the stage location that are utilized for projection and lighting effects. They are frequently concave in shape and are a way to add artistic expression to the stage. Masking curtains are drapes that conceal objects and can be applied to make moods and enable sets to be changed promptly. They incorporate borders, tabs and legs. Legs are wing curtains utilised to conceal the side of the stage from the audience exactly where performers can enter and exit. Borders hide lighting and gear including pulleys that are above the stage. Tab curtains are intermediate curtains to divide the stage into sections and can also be utilised to conceal backdrops and gear at the rear of the stage. Stage gauze and scrims are created from open weave fabric and can be utilised to generate theatrical effects. While the gauze is lit from the front it seems opaque.

There is no such thing as a common set of theatre curtains as size, fabric and finishes all differ. Items to take into account contain height, width, fullness, pleating variety, fabric selections and lining. Subsequent time you go to a theatre look at all the choices that require to be created just to get the curtains!

Michael P Richards is writing on behalf of PG Stage, specialists in Stage Drapes