THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCENIC SPECTACLE
A SITE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE THEATRICAL SPECTACLE
MODELS
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Early Illusionistic [16th Century]
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| Theatre | |
| Scene Change | |
| Sea Scenes | |
| Flying Machines | |
| Traps & Elevators | |
| Other Effects | |
| Lighting | |
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Later Illusionistic [17th Century]
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| Theatre | |
| Scene Change | |
| Sea Scenes | |
| Flying Machines | |
| Traps & Elevators | |
| Other Effects | |
| Lighting | |
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18th Century
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| Theatre | |
| Scene Change | |
| Sea Scenes | |
| Flying Machines | |
| Traps & Elevators | |
| Other Effects | |
| Lighting | |
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY LIGHTING
CESKY KRUMOV FOOTLIGHT ELEVATOR
The footlight elevator is essentially a parallelogram. The base is fixed, the top (which has the candles mounted on it is movable. Four upright beams are joined to top and base boards with bolts. As the uprights are moved from a vertical position to an angled position the top board drop below stage level. controlled by a winch located near the downstage wall in the substage area. It winds up a rope attached one of the pivoting upright beams moving the beam from vertical to angled position.
LITOMYSL FOOTLIGHT ELEVATOR
At Litomysl long narrow elevators raise the lamps to the stage level. This elevator is operated by a ratchet winch that rotates a shaft that used rack and pinion gears to raise the elevator.
MNICHOVO HRADISTE FOOTLIGHT HOOD
At Mnichovo Hradiste a hood pivots up from under the stage to block the light from the candles. It is operated when a small winch at the prompter's location is turned.
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CESKY KRUMLOV WING BRACKETS
At Cesky Krumlov removable brackets are attached to the wing frames. The brackets have two hooks at the top that allow positioning the brackets to allow the light to shine onstage or offstage.
Cesky Krumlov Lighting Bracket Photo
LITOMYSL LIGHTING PANELS
At Litomysl a series of boards are located behind the wings. A pin at the top of the board fits in a bracket attached to the overhead framework; the base of the board sets on the floor. Lamps are mounted in rings attached to the board. Each board may be turned to shine onstage or offstage.
MNICHOVO HRADISTE ROTATING POLES
At Mnichovo Hradiste a rotating pole is located behind each wing. By turning the pole the light can shine onstage or offstage. This is a common lighting method in 18th century theatres. A similar technique was described in Tessin's 17th century travel diary.
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LIGHTING CHANGE AT MNICHOVO HRADISTE
The following QT movie shows a complete light change at the court theatre in Mnichovo Hradiste. First the footlight hood pivots up to block the light, then the poles behind the wings rotate to shine the candle light offstage.
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