TEXTILE KNOWLEDGE
Welcome to our informative page on classic stage construction!
As specialists in stage equipment and event projects, we would like to offer you an insight into the world of stage design. The classic stage set-up is a tried and tested method of designing theater and event spaces and inspiring the audience.
In a classic stage set-up, high-quality textiles such as curtains, stage fabrics and decorations are often used to create an appealing atmosphere. Technical elements such as lighting systems, sound systems and stage technology also play a crucial role in supporting the performance and creating an unforgettable experience.
The stage curtain - the centerpiece of every event
"The curtain rises..." What's behind it? And what is important about a stage curtain?
The stage curtain is the first element of the stage set and serves as the calling card of a theater or opera house. Traditionally, the main curtain separates the stage from the auditorium, creating tension and foreshadowing movement behind it. Theater curtains are used in a variety of ways: as a main curtain, stage curtain, side aisle, backdrop or break curtain. Brecht curtains are half-sided curtains that cover or reveal parts of the stage set and separate scenes on simultaneous stages.
The curtain was already falling in ancient times
We know from writings and excavations that the use of theater curtains dates back to antiquity. Decorative curtains adorned the stages of ancient theaters as early as around 1,200 BC.
And even today, the curtain is the centerpiece of every theater.
Only the design options have changed and become much more varied. Elaborately decorated with borders, embroidery and fringes or simple and elegant in red stage velvet, we at Gerriets produce main and decorative curtains for the stages of this world.
Classic curtain opening types
Material and use: colorful variety
The materials and stage textiles used for theater curtains are diverse. The palette ranges from elegant and classic stage velvet, also known as velour or simply velvet, to molleton fabrics and silk or wool velour.
All materials used by Gerriets are of extremely high quality and have been carefully selected by our specialists. As every stage curtain must have special properties, our specialists produce them individually according to the needs of our customers and with the expertise of over 75 years.
Decorative curtains for all areas
You can find theater curtains from Gerriets all over the world. The handmade stage curtains can be admired in world-famous opera houses and concert halls, in theaters and museums, in ballrooms and on cruise ships.
Depending on where the stage curtains are used, very different properties are required. This means that our experts at Gerriets are constantly faced with new and exciting challenges. Whether it's a question of visual features or material characteristics - there are no limits to our customers' wishes.
Which curtain fabric is the right one for which purpose?
High demands are also placed on stage curtains in the event sector: They should be opaque, sound-absorbing and flame-retardant as well as visually appealing and match any applications.
We have compiled an overview of various theater velvets and stage velours for your decorative curtain here:
The reflective velour - CLIVIA ECHO from Gerriets
This acoustic velour is a highly reflective textile material with a special coating on the back. It is particularly suitable for sound reflection and thus optimizes the room acoustics in terms of better speech intelligibility. This allows you to create better acoustics for the rear tiers or similar areas in the auditorium. The material is also airtight and lightproof.
The sound absorption coefficient measured for CLIVIA ECHO according to ISO 11654 aw is 0.15 - 0.40 (depending on the version) and shows the good reflection properties. Consequently, the classification in the low sound absorber class E-D is understandable, as CLIVIA ECHO is intended to reflect and not absorb. The sound absorption value is tested in accordance with DIN EN ISO 354 and confirmed with the issue of an acoustic certificate.
The easy-care fabrics - ALICANTE & BARCELONA from Gerriets
These fabrics made from the special textile fiber TREVIRA CS are characterized by their high abrasion resistance and thus their particularly long service life. They are also particularly easy to care for, sound-absorbent and provide a high level of protection in the event of fire, as they are permanently flame-retardant.
Set the stage perfectly with these decorative curtains
At Gerriets, we produce many different stage curtains every year. Here we show you a selection of examples of which main curtain might be most suitable for you:
The appliqué curtain
Theater curtains offer space for elaborate appliqués. The main curtain of the Theater des Westens in Berlin, reconstructed according to drawings from 1895, is characterized by filigree embroidery and elaborate silver appliqués on CLIVIA 600 stage velour.
In the Kurhaus Bad Wildungen, matt sheen stage velour with sequins, gold borders and cords is used to reflect the water fountains and waves of the spa town and create dazzling effects.
The curtain in the Pfalzbau Ludwigshafen is decorated with silk appliqués on linen velour, with over 900 rhombuses made of pure silk and golden accents that provide brilliant vibrancy.
In the Stadthalle Sindelfingen, a decorative curtain with thousands of fiber optic light points and flocked, painted silk fabric adorns the stage. Thanks to sophisticated lighting, it constantly changes its appearance and creates magical effects.
The painted curtain
Painted curtains offer a unique illusion and 3D look that creates spatial depth and fascinates the audience.
Curtains painted on flat fabric
These curtains look like normal appliqué curtains, but the drapery, fabric effect and gold applications are painted on. In the Koblenz Municipal Theater, the main curtain was painted on Clevyl fabric according to designs by the engineering firm Biste-Gerling. The decorative curtain of the ETA. Hoffmann Theater in Bamberg consists of painted Horizont fabric EXTRA and lining satin made of Trevira CS fabric. Theater curtains made of stage nettle are also suitable for painting.
Painted velour curtains
The main curtain in the Teatro Real in Madrid was created from MALAGA stage velour based on designs by Alvarez-Montes. It contains 50 m² of real gold leaf and is decorated with fringes, golden ropes and glass beads. The work on this magnificent decorative curtain took around three months.
The embroidered curtain
An embroidered decorative curtain is an eye-catcher in the theater, as in the Royal Opera House in London. The red main curtain is made of mohair velour, combined with various layers of fabric and a lining. It is decorated with fringes, braids, tassels and appliqués from the Gerriets workshops. The handmade embroidery was created over six months by the Royal School of Needlework in London.
Embroidery applications
Gerriets uses various embroidery appliqués, which are accentuated by shadows in other embroidery colors. Velvet in a different thread creates a tone-on-tone effect, while velvet in a different color provides a stronger contrast.
Stitch looks
Various embroidery techniques, such as textured stitches, satin stitches, hand stitching and crank embroidery, offer a wide range of design options. Textured stitches fill areas and motifs, while thick hand stitches create accents.
Cranked embroidery
Crank embroidery is used to create ribbons or lines that are visible from a distance. Thin cords are artfully arranged in waves, serpentine lines or close together.
The woven decorative curtain
A woven main curtain adorns the world-famous Metropolitan Opera in New York. The magnificent curtain of this opera house weighs several hundred kilograms and is adorned with cords of pure silk and sequins. Around 1,200 linear meters of precious silk and linen fabric were required, woven in a patented design. In addition, the same amount of lining satin was used to ensure absolute opacity. This stage curtain was produced in a very heavy version to ensure the longest possible use.
A woven decorative curtain can be produced in almost any size. Whether painted, embroidered, decorated or printed, you can achieve a variety of effects, recreate historical decorative curtains or design your own creations.
The printed curtain
Custom-printed stage curtains are very popular, as they can be designed entirely according to your own wishes.
The fascination with the production of a "decorative curtain" has always been very great at Gerriets in the past, regardless of whether it was a reproduction of a historical curtain or a new creation. We will certainly not lose this enthusiasm and passion for such tasks in the future.
For us, the work begins long before the curtain rises.