The theater curtain (also called the main , portal ) is an element of stage clothing that separates the stage from the auditorium and is located closest to the audience, along the border of the stage mirror.
Typically, the curtain opens at the beginning of the performance, and closes at intermission and at the end of the performance. The typology of theater curtains is based on their appearance, texture, nature of movement, the way the scene is opened. In historical and opera houses, the main curtain is often decorated with an embroidered or painted theater emblem or city emblem.
Content
Types of Theater Curtains
Intermission Sliding Curtain
Also known as " Greek ." It is mainly used in drama theaters. This type of curtain usually consists of two halves (wings) fixed in the upper part at the same height. During the opening, both wings simultaneously extend from the center of the stage to the portals. A sliding curtain completely blocks the stage from the audience. For this, a central “overlap” is provided in its design when one wing partially overlaps another.
There is also a variant of the Greek curtain with one wing and side opening.
Curtain
Also known as the " guillotine curtain " or the " German " curtain. Most often used in musical theaters. The curtain is a whole canvas, straight or pleated, fixed along the upper edge to the supporting beam. The beam can be bent vertically (along the arch of the proscenium) or horizontally (according to the shape of the scene).
The curtain rises simultaneously with the lifting of the carrier beam. Such a curtain requires a large height of space above the stage.
The Italian Curtain
Also known as “ imperial ” or “swag curtain”.
Principle of action: the canvas, consisting of two halves, is fixed on top. Both wings open synchronously with cables that are fixed to them at a height of 2-3 meters from the stage, and pull the curtain to the upper corners of the proscenium.
Austrian curtain
The curtain has an easily recognizable drapery, rises for several points fixed on the underside of the curtain. It also has the French name Rideau bouillonné ( Bouillonne curtain), as it has gros plis qu'on appelle des bouillons (large folds called bouillon).
When lifting, the lower edge can remain parallel to the floor, or form a curve (for example, repeating the bend of the arch of the proscenium).
Venetian curtain
It opens up like the Austrian, from which it differs by the presence of vertical folds.
When raising, the lower border of the curtain can be parallel to the floor, however, for functional and aesthetic reasons, the Venetian curtain most often rises to different heights, forming a special lower contour.
The Roman Curtain
The type of lifting is similar to the Austrian and Venetian, but the curtain in the lowered state does not have horizontal or vertical folds characteristic of the last two types.
French Curtain
Combined curtain, also known as Italian Lifting Curtain . Combines the movement of the lifting type with the movement of the Italian type.
The carrier beam rises with the curtain, and at the same time, the half of the curtain moves to the corners, like the Italian curtain.
The Brecht Curtain
A curtain of two halves, usually 2.5 to 4 meters high, behind which a scene is visible. The canvas is usually not pleated. The curtain is suspended on two cables pulled in full view, right behind the proscenium. Typically, a curtain opens and closes manually.
First used in Brecht's epic theater , this type of curtain is used today by various modern theaters.
Wagner Curtain
In this type of structure, the curtain consists of two halves, fixed at the top with an overlay. Both wings of the curtain are opened by a mechanism that pulls the lower inner corners to the edges of the scene.
One or both of the driving mechanisms for this type of curtain can be located under the stage.
Kabuki Curtain
Made from a single piece of fabric, usually light silk, this curtain unhooks from above and drops sharply down, opening the stage.
The mechanical principle of the system is based on a rotating pipe with pins. The curtain is hooked on the pins and slides off them when the pipe is turned.
Curtain Open
This unusual type of curtain is a one-piece smooth canvas fixed in the upper part. Opening is carried out by winding the curtain on the lower drum, which, rotating around its own axis, rises to the arch of the proscenium. Most often, such a mechanism is used to install projection screens in the immediate vicinity of the proscenium. It is also not uncommon to use such a system with wide tulles and nets to open a show or change scenes.
The advantage of such a system is that it does not require space above the stage.
Pass curtain
A special type of curtain, which, closing the stage, allows actors to pass through it. This type includes a filament curtain, a curtain of elastic strips of fabric, and a light curtain based on the exposure of particles suspended in the air.
Folding curtain
A special type of curtain, the lifting mechanism of which in Italian is called Tiro in seconda (half-lift), and usually works on manual control. It allows you to raise the lower half of the curtain above the stage, so that it hides behind the upper half of the curtain. The system is used primarily for historical curtains, or for decorations that cannot be raised in prima (directly behind the proscenium) due to some kind of obstacle. The most common obstacle is the insufficient height of the space above the stage.
The curtain can be folded double, triple or more times, depending on the design.
Literature
- Karp V.V. Basics of directing . - 2nd ed. - M. , 2003.
Links
- Theater curtain systems . Date of treatment March 7, 2012. Archived June 28, 2012.
- Types of theater curtains . Date of treatment March 7, 2012.