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velvet stage drapes, velvet stage curtains, cycloramas, sharkstooth scrim, canvas backdrops, legs, wings, borders,

 

 

Types of Stage Curtains

     
  • Front-of-House curtain (main curtain) is the visual and sound barrier between the audience and the stage. The most common type of main curtain is a bi-parting curtain i.e. a pair of curtains that overlap and split at the centre of the stage, and open to the sides. The main curtain is usually manufactured from heavy weight velvet or wool.
  • Valance curtain is a horizontal masking curtain usually made from the same material as the front-of-house and is suspended on a batten in front of the main curtain. Masking curtains are used to hide the off-stage areas, divide the stage, and provide access to the main stage area.
  • Masking curtains include Borders, Tabs and Legs (wing curtains)

    • Border curtains are curtains that conceal lights and other equipment above the stage. Their size is usually determined by sight lines.
    • Intermediate tabs (tab curtains) are stage curtains used to divide the stage into smaller sections. They can also be used to hide equipment and backdrops at the rear of the stage.
    • Leg Curtains (wing curtains) are used to hide the side of the stage from the audience's view. They also provide concealed wings for actors to enter and exit the stage
  • Backdrop curtains are usually manufactured from a seamless cotton fabric and they provide a scenic element to the stage. The seamless cotton is available in widths of up to 10 metres and is suitable for painting.

  • Floor cloths can be manufactured in seamless 6 oz canvas or a heavy-duty 12 oz canvas with seams.

  • Cycloramas are backdrops at the rear of the stage and are used primarily for lighting and projection purposes. They are generally manufactured from a white seamless Filled Cloth or white Nessel canvas

  • Gauzes are open weave fabrics that when lit from the front (and the stage behind the gauze is totally dark), the gauze appears opaque and renders the scene behind the gauze invisible. When the scene behind the gauze is illuminated and the front lights on the gauze are dimmed, the gauze becomes invisible, revealing the upstage scene. The most common type of gauze used in Australia is called sharkstooth gauze
  • Projection screens are manufactured from a lightweight, fire-resistant vinyl fabric and can be made to your specific requirements.
 

Sound Absorption Curtains or acoustic drapes are used in rooms or venues where sound absorption is required. Put simply, sound absorption curtains absorb echo within a room, and therefore improve the sound quality within the space.

  • Please note: Sound absorption curtains are not used for sound proofing i.e. block or stopping sound travelling from one space into another adjacent space.

Factors that affect sound absorption curtains

  1. Fabric thickness- Sound absorption curtain material should be thick and fibrous. We recommend using a wool serge fabric that is a minimum of 500 GSM
  2. Pleating- Sound absorption curtains that are pleated have a larger surface area available to absorb the sound waves. The minimum amount of pleating required is 50% fullness, but 100% fullness is recommended.
  3. Air Gap- Sound absorption curtains function more efficiently if they are spaced away from the surface behind them (50mm-100mm). An air gap increases the sound absorptive properties of the curtain in the mid and higher frequency range

 

  sound curtains