Why do Theatres have safety curtains?

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Occupational safety and health regulations state that the safety curtain must be able to resist fire and thereby prevent (or at least hinder) fires starting on stage from spreading to the auditorium and the rest of the theatre, reducing injuries to audience members and members of staff.

In respect to this, why do theaters have curtains?

Theater drapes and stage curtains are large pieces of cloth that are designed to mask backstage areas of a theater from spectators. Theater curtains are often pocketed at the bottom to hold weighty chain or to accept pipes to remove their fullness and stretch them tight.

Secondly, what is Wing masking? Wings: Areas that are part of a stage deck but offstage (out of sight of the audience). The wings are typically masked with legs. The wing space is used for performers preparing to enter, storage of sets for scenery changes and as a stagehand work area.

Accordingly, what does Curtain mean in Theatre?

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Noun. 1. theatre curtain - a hanging cloth that conceals the stage from the view of the audience; rises or parts at the beginning and descends or closes between acts and at the end of a performance. theater curtain. curtain, drape, drapery, pall, mantle - hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

What are the names of the curtains on a stage?

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Other names used for the curtains in the Main Setting include: MAIN TRAVELER - Act Curtain, House Curtain, Front Curtain, Grand Drape, Main Curtain, Proscenium Curtain MAIN VALANCE - Teaser, Proscenium Valance MAIN LEGS - Tormentors, Tabs OLIO SETTING: The term “Olio”, which is defined as a medley of tunes, is taken

What fabric are theater curtains made of?

Cotton, polyester and mohair stage curtains are the most traditional flame-retardant theatre drapes on stage. Manufactured as luxurious front curtains, borders, legs, valances and stage backdrops, they serve a decorative purpose on stage while improving lighting and sound conditions.

Why are stage curtains red?

The red theatre curtain is typically remembered and used because it best allows a spotlight to show on stage. Different coloured curtains would absorb the light, making it difficult for the speaker to be shown. Moreover, in previous years, red fabric showed fire retardants the least.

What is a grid in Theatre?

grid, gridiron. (noun) a floor of structural steel channel or grating which extends over the upper portion of the stage house. Provides mounting positions for theatre equipment and staff access to any point over the stage for rigging and maintenance.

How do you make stage curtains open and close?

DIY for Open & Close Stage Curtains

1. Hang the drapery wrong side out, the right side toward the window, for ease of sewing.
2. Pin one end of a 20-foot piece of drapery cord to the middle of each center edge.
3. Drape the cord away from the center, toward the curtain rod.
4. Pin the cord to the top of the drape at the desired position.

What is the back of a stage called?

2) All lanterns which are on the audience side of the proscenium and are focussed towards the stage. The backstage areas of the theatre are known as Rear of House (ROH).

What is the top part of a curtain called?

The top part of the curtain is called Vallence which is flat in shape. If the top part has swirl like design then it is called as scallops.

What is a drop in Theatre?

n. (Theatre) theatre a curtain that is suspended from the flies and can be raised and lowered onto the stage. Also called: drop cloth or drop.

How does a scrim create some magic?

A scrim curtain is a common fabric used for theatres and churches and to create some stage magic. The scrim fabric's unique properties make it appear opaque when lit correctly from the front. However, when the front lights are off and the objects behind the scrim are lit it suddenly becomes transparent.

Why is break a leg a saying?

"Break a leg" is a typical English idiom used in theatre to wish a performer "good luck". The expression probably reflects a theatrical superstition in which directly wishing a person "good luck" would be considered bad luck, therefore an alternative way of wishing luck was developed.

What does it mean when the curtains are drawn?

as in "drawn curtains" means closed (nefarious activities take place in. smoke-filled rooms behind drawn curtains). However, the verb "to draw" used in the context of curtains means to. change them from whatever state they are in to the opposite.

What is false proscenium?

» FALSE PROSCENIUM. Definition: A frame formed by scenic canvas or vertical flattage within the proscenium arch. Used to reduce the size of the opening when putting a small set onto a large stage.

What do theater curtains weigh?

Weight of Curtain

The counter-weights are made in large sections (for the average theatre curtain will weigh 800 to 1,200 pounds) and are permanently installed in a steel housing or guide. The weights must be within 60 pounds of the actual weight of the finished curtain.

What does curtains mean in slang?

Slang. From the article: Curtains can be used as a slang word meaning ending (from the use of a closing curtain to signal the end of a play on a proscenium arch stage). "Carpet (not) matching the curtains" is a slang phrase describing pubic hair that is (or is not) the same colour as head hair. Also, "Beef Curtains".

What is a leg in theater?

In theater, the best performances illicit multiple curtain calls. Standing ovations. The sides of these curtains are called “Legs” To wish some one to break a leg is to wish them a best performance. Multiple Audience ovations.

What is a tormentor in Theatre?

1 : one that torments. 2 : a fixed curtain or flat on each side of a theater stage that prevents the audience from seeing into the wings.

What is a CYC?

'Cyc' is an abbreviated term for cyclorama, also referred to as a cyclorama wall or cyc wall. Webster defines a cyclorama as "a curved wall used as a background of a stage set to suggest unlimited space." When done properly, it is virtually impossible to discern where the floor ends and the wall begins.

What time is curtain?

Definition of curtain time. : time for a performance to begin Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.