The development of stage machinery in the nineteenth century British theatre : a study of physical and documentary evidence
Thc devolopment of scene changing machinery in Great Britain is perhaps one of the few disciplines in the field of mechanical engineering which have virtually never relied upon new discoveries in technology for their advancement. Instead it has always lagged behind, perhaps modifying, certainly adapting, existing techniques. This study aims to examine the evolution of stage machinery during the nineteenth century, when many techniques had already been in existence and traditions firmly established since the previous century. The degree of development in the course of the nineteenth century was in many ways a reflection of the type of drama presented. As time went by, the public's taste for spectacle and visual presentation intensified and fostered an increase in the complexity of scene changing equipment. This in turn meant that many of the theatres built in the eighteenth century, especially in the provinces, were sadly inadequate for housing the vast quantities of equipment which machinists needed to install above and below the stage. As a result architects, began improving and enlarging existing theatres as well as building new ones, with increased stage width and depth, increased flying space above and
Wilmore, David
History ; Literature ; Mass media ; Performing arts ; Machinery tools
The development of stage machinery in the nineteenth century British theatre : a study of physical and documentary evidence. Thc devolopment of scene changing machinery in Great Britain is perhaps one of the few disciplines in the field of mechanical engineering which have virtually never relied upon new discoveries in technology for their advancement. Instead it has always lagged behind, perhaps modifying, certainly adapting, existing techniques. This study aims to examine the evolution of stage machinery during the nineteenth century, when many techniques had already been in existence and traditions firmly established since the previous century. The degree of development in the course of the nineteenth century was in many ways a reflection of the type of drama presented. As time went by, the public's taste for spectacle and visual presentation intensified and fostered an increase in the complexity of scene changing equipment. This in turn meant that many of the theatres built in the eighteenth century, especially in the provinces, were sadly inadequate for housing the vast quantities of equipment which machinists needed to install above and below the stage. As a result architects, began improving and enlarging existing theatres as well as building new ones, with increased stage width and depth, increased flying space above and
development stage machinery british theatre study physical documentary_evidence scene change machinery great_britain perhaps discipline field mechanical engineering virtually never rely_upon new discovery technology advancement instead always behind perhaps modify certainly adapt exist technique study aim_examine evolution stage machinery many technique already existence tradition firmly_establish since degree development course many_way reflection type drama present time public taste spectacle visual presentation intensify increase complexity scene change equipment turn mean many theatre build especially province inadequate housing vast quantity equipment need stage architect begin improve enlarge exist theatre well build new increase stage width depth increase space