Curtains and Drapes

There are many types of curtains that make a stage, in most circumstances stages are not big enough to use every type, but careful consideration will give excellent results even on the smallest stage area. Curtains really make a performance, they hide actors and scenery and help to make scene change seamless..
The very minimum that is required is a front house main curtain.
Here is a short overview of the different curtain types with the names relating to the accompning

Front or Main Curtain

'Front Curtain' is often called by other names, but this name is self explanatory. This curtain is split into two overlapping in the middle by around one metre. Although small curtains can be hand drawn, its easier and more profession to have the curtains pulled by a wire or rope line from behind the proscenium arch, this can be by hand or using an electric winch. Red velvet fabric is often the preferred colour for front of house, but many colours are available so can be chosen to blend with the décor. This front curtain is normally lined, weighted at the bottom using chain and made to have a fullness of 50%, meaning the curtains are made 50% wider than the exact width of the stage arch.
The front of house curtains provide a good sound and light barrier between the audience and the stage area.

Front Valance

'Front valance' is a horizontal curtain normally made from the same fabric as the front of house curtains but has no lining; this curtain is used to help hide curtain tracks and lighting fixtures.

Intermediate tabs

'Intermediate tabs' are used to section off the stage into smaller areas. This curtain is mounted on a track system, which uses a rope or wire to open and close the curtain, this normally overlaps in the middle by about 1m. A super wool serge black material is used here. This curtain is normally unlined, sometimes weighted at the bottom and a has a 50% fullness. A particularly useful way of hiding stage props and backdrops needed for later scenes.

Leg curtains

'Leg curtains' are also known as wing curtains, these are normally made from black super wool serge. The wing curtains can be mounted to a 2-3 metre swivel bar or can be fixed in place; these are used to hide the side of the stage from the audience allowing actors waiting in the wings to be hidden from view.

Gauze

'Gauze' can help provide great atmospheric stage illumination. Made from an open weave material this curtain, when lit from the front, obscures everything behind, conversely when illuminated from behind with the front lights dimmed the cloth becomes almost see through.

Cyclorama

'Cyclorama's are likely to be made from a white canvas material and tied in place; they form a stage backdrop, useful for mood setting by light washing with different colours . Images from projectors can also be displayed here.

All curtains apart from the cyclorama's are normally made with 50% fullness; this adds a pleated effect to the curtains.

If you would like us to quote for bespoke curtains please email us with the following information:

Material: Velvet, wool surge or canvas
Colour: Please specify
Drop: In cm
Width: In cm
Lined: Yes or No
50% Fullness: Yes or No
Header: Snap hooks, swivel hooks, eyes or ties
Base: Chain Weight, Pocket or Hem
Quantity:

If you require any further information or help please contact us at sales@terralec.com