STAGE CURTAINS

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of stage curtains, let’s talk a little about the advantages of having good quality stage curtains.

The stage curtains themselves, and especially their arrangement, aids in enhancing the background of events that take place on the stage itself. From creating scenery and masking the background scenes of the act and it’s actors from the audience, stage curtains are as versatile as they need to be durable.

What’s more, stage curtains are made from solid materials with blackout properties, they not only improve the theatre production by concealing behind the scenes from the audience, they also prevent the excessive transfer of noise. And we all know how important noise control is in a theatre, don’t we?

Picking the right style of drapes for the stage is nothing short of a monumental task. Let us explain.

The stage requires not one, but multiple types of curtains, each placed in a particular sequence, which are made specifically for the purpose they serve. There are grand drapes and contour curtains and even the tableau curtains. But that’s not all. Various trimmings and borders that are as important to the overall look of the curtain as the front curtains themselves. They include teasers and tormentors, legs and edges and a whole lot more. There are backdrops and sky-drops, rear curtains and even backstage curtains! Who knew there were extra backstage curtains?!

The number of curtains in one stage curtain isn’t the only huge thing, though. Every single curtain style (or, step?) has different fabric requirements. From colours to textures to the materials themselves, everything has a different purpose.

Typical fabrics for the main stage or grand drapes include synthetic velour, velvet or plain cotton while for a teaser or tormentor, velour alternatives would suffice. The backdrop is often made of a fire resistant muslin, while a scrim is made from a Sharkstooth Scrim fabric. Some curtains may have fringe bullion with tassels, while some might be simple – the options are infinite.

Though it seems like there’s a lot to absorb, stage curtains are a serious business that requires the utmost importance and care when considering refurbishing the theatre. These curtains go a long way in ensuring the audiences have the best possible experience while they’re watching a production at their favourite theatre.