The theater curtain. Equipment and decoration of the theater scene

Everyone who has been to the theater remembers that the theater curtain is an important part of the interior and decoration of the stage. This attribute has undergone significant changes with the development of technical thought and the evolution of theatrical art. And today, the stage curtain is simply a piece of cloth on the cord, and technically sophisticated equipment with many features and functions.

History

For the first time the stage curtain was used in the theater of Ancient Greece. He signaled the beginning and end of the theatrical action. The curtain as a complex equipment was invented around the 17th century, when the development of the theatrical scene was going on in a storm. At this time there were moving scenery, more attention to the art directors was given to scenography, and the curtain becomes not only a technical element in the change of paintings, but also an additional expressive possibility.

In the 18th century, the design of the stage and the curtain became an important part of revealing the plot of the play. Sometimes they played a very important role. With the advent of the box scene, the curtain acquired a new meaning and became an integral element of the production.

In the 20th century, the stage designers further strengthen the extreme importance of this stage design element. Projects, in which the curtains were specially prepared for the performance, became frequent. For example, for the production of Lermontov's Masquerade at the Mariinsky Theater, the famous theater artist A. Golovin created 10 curtains for each change of paintings.

Appointment

First of all, the theater curtain performs the function of protecting the stage from the eyes of spectators. He does not allow to see the decoration and scenery before the action begins, fences the scene for the time of changing the situation. But, in addition, the curtain has aesthetic problems. First, it signals the beginning of the presentation. The opening of the curtain brings the viewer into the fantasy world, at this moment it is tuned to the atmosphere of convention and illusion of the theater. Secondly, the curtain can be used as part of the artistic space of the play and even as a separate character. For example, in the "Hamlet" of the Taganka Theater, he played the role of Time, Destiny, Rock, etc.

The curtain is an additional expressive tool, for example? Light draperies or stylized curtains can create the illusion of some kind of terrain or room. Even the absence of this can be a certain artistic principle - some modern theaters refuse it. This is how the child of K. Raikin "Satyricon" works.

Device and equipment

The theater, the stage only from the side of the auditorium, looks parade and even romantic. Even at the time of the invention, the curtain was a rather complex mechanism, which in time was greatly modernized. To ensure a smooth, synchronous and uniform movement and expansion of the curtain, a single drive system is used. At first it worked on manual traction, later on electric, today it is regulated by computer control.

The lifting and lowering mechanism ensures even movement of a very heavy construction. To ensure that the side parts do not swing, they are attached to the heavy guides. The most complex design provides both sliding motion and lifting. To work curtain is built so-called road. There are several of its varieties: linear, nonlinear, cable. Today for the movement of the curtain complex rail systems are used, which are controlled from the remote control.

Typologies

Performing numerous tasks, the theater curtain can be of different types. There are several classifications: by the method of disclosure, by function in the play, by the historically developed methods of draping. It is also possible to distinguish the types of curtains by the way of control and traction, in this case called manual, mechanical, electrical and electronic mechanisms.

There are attempts to classify the draperies of the scene on the material from which they were made. So, there are velvet and linen curtains. But this division is untenable, because the curtain is a multi-layered construction that includes the outer layer, as well as the inner, shadow, each of which was sewed from different tissues.

Kinds on a way of disclosing

On the trajectory of motion, such types of theatrical curtains are distinguished, such as sliding and lifting-lowering.

The mechanism of the sliding product should ensure complete overlapping of the stage from the viewers' eyes, this is facilitated by a special design with a great smell - the entry of one canvas into another. Cloths are mounted on different rails, and when approaching one goes behind the other. Also, the sliding mechanism must provide synchronous movement of the webs. It is based on a single drive system.

Each theater, the scene for which is his heart, cares that the curtain control mechanism always works flawlessly: quickly, smoothly, synchronously and silently. It is believed that the sliding curtain has greater expressive capabilities than the descending one. The folds, the rhythm of movement are distinguished by the ability to convey emotion. This curtain is proud of the Bolshoi Theater, a large stage of which is decorated with a magnificent sliding cloth in the form of a tapestry.

Lifting and lowering mechanisms are more ancient in origin. Even in the ancient Greek theater there was a curtain, which before the performance began to fall into a special slot and rose from it at the end of the spectacle. The lowering mechanism is based on a system of counterweights, from the swinging of the canvas protects the special guides on the sides.

Also there are combined curtains, which combine the possibilities of horizontal expansion and vertical lifting-lowering. They represent the most complex construction.

In addition, you can meet and folding curtains, in which the canvas is added to one, two, three or four addition. Such models allow you to close only the upper half of the stage space and are an additional decoration.

An important element of the performance

The possibilities of the curtain are used in the creation of the play, and on this basis they are divided into gaming and intertrack. The anthracite theater curtain is a means of fencing out the space of the stage before the beginning of each action and for the completion of the performance. These models are an element of the permanent design of the scene. Game models are created specifically for certain performances and are part of the set design. They can be a component of the overall scenery, play the role of a pictorial overture, being located on the zero scene plan. The curtains are designed to create a special atmosphere of the performance, and are combined with it in style and genre.

Light curtain

There is a special kind that is created with the help of light. Modern theatrical equipment allows you to replace the matter with light from the searchlights, which will act as a curtain. The principle of its operation consists in the illumination of particles suspended in the air. There are two options for creating such a curtain: horizontal and ramp. In the first case, the rows of projector lights are directed horizontally towards each other. To ensure the uniformity of the curtain, it is often supported by a black, velvet backdrop scene. The second way is to direct the narrow light streams from the slot in the proscenium to the ceiling of the auditorium, which is covered with black velvet. The light curtain perfectly performs the function of overlapping the stage from the viewers' views, and also plays the role of a special expressive technique, which, when repeated, only enhances its effect.

Historical Types

There are also several options for curtains, which received the names in honor of the theaters in which they were used. So, there is an Austrian model, which differs assemblies in the form of large folds, picking up the canvas. A similar pattern has a Venetian variety, it is only decorated with additional vertical folds. The curtain, called "Italian", is very common in classical theaters. It consists of two vertical canvases that rise to the top in the lower corners. Also there are the following varieties: kabuki, Polishinel, curtains of Wagner and Brecht.

Decor

In addition to constructive differences, curtains, of course, can have a special design. Obviously, the design of the stage should be combined with the interior of the theater, and also be suitable for the play being played. Often the directors create special curtains for their productions, in addition, the famous theaters often have their own unique curtains, which become their trademark. So, the Bolshoi Theater, whose large stage is decorated with a historical "golden" curtain, spent a lot of effort and money on the restoration of this famous product. At the Mariinsky Theater, A. Golovin's curtain of 1914 is considered an official emblem. Just like the curtain of the Moscow Arts Theater, created together with the project of the building and the interior of F. Shekhtel.