Stage Curtains Can Be Used To Solve A Number Of Problems

Stage curtains have many different uses in the theatre business. The ones that the audience sees the most are the front of house curtains, also known as the auditorium curtains, and are often made of rich fabrics such as velvets to impress theatregoers. These can be very large and very heavy curtains and will need a special track on which to run. In order to be compliant, they also have to be flame retardant, so they can either be made of inherently flame-retardant materials or be treated with chemicals in order to make them so. If they are treated, they can still be cleaned but will need to be retreated after a few dry cleans or on every clean if they are washed.

Stage drapes also have other uses, such as blocking out light and sound from off-stage, and also concealing backstage equipment. They are used at the sides of the stage as borders and legs, and when made from light-masking materials can partially or totally block atmospheric light which has the effect of creating a black box on the stage. They will also prevent a lot of light reflection from the stage itself.

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The Uses Of Black Wool Serge

Black wool serge has been used in the theatre and events industries for years, as it has properties which are great at reducing unwanted sounds and echoes, and it is also useful for keeping out or keeping down light.

Black wool serge curtains are made from sheep’s wool which is woven to produce a fabric which is thick and rich, and is also very durable, which is ideal for controlling acoustics. In addition, the fabric is inherently flame retardant and conforms to BS 5867 Part 2B. However, if you are going to use wool serge for upholstery it will need to be back-coated so that it conforms to BS 5852.

When used to control acoustics, black wool serge drapes can be used around the stage in order to dampen sound travelling and reverberation of sound which can spoil a performance. The thicker the fabric and the more pleats there are, the better it will prevent the sound waves from travelling.

The fabric will also produce a very effective dim-out, although not complete blackout. If you want to completely block any light the curtains would need to be lined.

Wool serge is available in various widths, from 120 cm to 180 cm, and it can vary in weight. The grams per square metre run from 330 gsm up to as much as 1 kilogram, although the average in the industry is 500 gsm. Wool serge is a budget product and therefore ideal for use within the theatre business.

Blackout Curtains Can Reduce More Than Just Light

Contrary to popular belief, blackout curtains do not have to be black. They can be made in a variety of different colours and lined with a lightweight foam or have a core of black sunblock fibre.

In theatres, they are used to control the entry of light to specific areas, either blocking it completely or dimming it considerably, for whatever reason that is needed. However, blackout curtains are not only used in theatres, but also in many other places where the entry of light needs to be controlled such as conference centres, lecture rooms, university halls, schools, science laboratories, and more.

Furthermore, blackout curtains are not only used to control light but also can be used to control sound. So, for example, they might be used in a music rehearsal room or music studio where the sound coming in from the outside world interfere with the sound that is being sought.

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Cleaning Stage Curtains Is Very Different From Your Home Curtains

When you need your curtains cleaned at home you can do one of two things. Depending upon the size and the material, you can simply take them down and put them in the washing machine, or if they are somewhat larger and a delicate material you might want to take them down to your local dry cleaner if he provides a curtain cleaning service.

However, if you operate a theatre or other venue with very large curtains, your local dry cleaner almost certainly won’t have the machinery large enough to cope with cleaning them, so you will need the services of a specialist curtain cleaning company.

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All Performance Areas Have A Need For Stage Curtains

Theatres, cinemas, gig venues, school halls, universities, and more all have a need for stage curtains as a critical part of their operation. Stage curtains provide a strong visual impact for audiences when they are the front of house curtains and they also separate different areas on a stage and can be used to control light entering and also minimise sound.

Some stage curtains such as legs, tormentors, and so on will remain in a fixed position during a performance while others may be raised up and lowered down, while still others, such as the front of house curtain usually open and close so that they meet in the middle, running on stage curtain track.

Curtains like the main curtain/front of house curtain, can be opened and closed by two people pulling them with theatre ropes, known as walkalong, or they can be operated mechanically. There are certain advantages to mechanical operation, not the least of which is that it doesn’t require two people to operate the curtains, and also that when closing they will meet in the middle of the stage at the same time.

Other types of curtains include blackout curtains which can be used for all sorts of purposes. Made of a heavy material, they can be used to control not only light but sound as well. For this reason, they are now being used in offices, conference halls, and many other places where it is desired to control the light, or to keep down sound in a building next to a noisy motorway, for example.