The preliminary remarks to the platform instructions apply here also.
There are many, many ways. It is obvious that a scheme for a 12 ft. by 8
ft. will be useless for a 40 ft. by 30 ft. stage. In the latter case, it
would be necessary to use a system of bracing and cross-tieing which
would be superfluous in the former.
[Illustration:
PLAN
]
The illustration gives an example of a stage with a 15 to 20 ft. opening
for erection on such a platform as described in this book.
The main supports are four ladders: two long ones to reach the ground at
the back, and two short ones which stand on the platform and have pegs
to drop into corresponding holes. The back ladders by standing on the
floor of the room or hall get a steady support and also a bearing
against the back of the platform, thus steadying the whole structure of
the stage. If the foot of these ladders may not be screwed down, they
should be strongly lashed to the back tressels of the platform. Across
the back of the stage there is a strong tie-bar, and the same at the
front, but this latter extends some way beyond the ladders and acts as a
support for a curtain-rod, the curtain, of course, being necessary to
obscure the wings from the sight of the audience.
On the top back to front ties a number of pegs are required for back
cloth and sky border battens to drop over according to arrangement
wanted.
In the underside of these beams double blocks of wood form slides for
the wings. These should swivel to enable the wings to be adjusted to any
angle.
If it is necessary to make the curtain beams in two or more pieces, the
socket joints should be made close to upright supports to reduce the
sagging strain.
Iron tie-rods, as shown in the drawing, certainly stiffen the two sides
of the stage, and can be adjusted accurately, but they should be kept
clear of head, and are apt to obstruct passage of properties, scenery,
etc. There must be some disabilities, however, with a temporary stage.
When the skeleton is in place, it is only necessary to mask the front
with a painted proscenium, hanging curtains right and left and above,
thus entirely shutting out the audience when the curtain is dropped.
The arrangements for raising and lowering act drops, back cloths,
curtains, etc., are described and illustrated elsewhere.