16th Century Scene Changes
The Pariactoi:
The pariactoi was popular during the
Renaissance because it had a precedent in the classical world, mainly ancient
Greek. The Roman architect Vitruvius, had described the three sided units that
could be revolved and relocated to present three different setting in the show.
Ignazio Danti, Nicola Sabbattini, and Josef Furttenbach all had unique ideas to
utilize the pariactoi to its full potential.
17th Century Mechanized Wing Change
This device utilized a series of banks of
trolleys running in tracks located under the stage. The trolleys have frames
that extend through slots in the stage floor. Their secondary use is to support
the scenic wings. A central shaft controlled the wings in each bank connected
to the trolleys. When the shaft is rotated, the ropes were wound on the shaft
pulling the wings onstage. The offstage ends of each wing were connected via a
direction-changing pulley to the wings to be pulled offstage. This was commonly
known as the chariot and pull system.
18th Century Scene Changes
Gripsholm Court Theater Wing Change
The wing changing machinery at Gripsholm
is the most similar to the in 17th century mechanized wing changing
illustrations. It uses a central shaft with a larger section to provide
mechanical advantage. The rope loop attached to the large section is pulled to
rotate the shaft, pulling the wing trolleys onstage.
Cesky Krumlov Court Theatre Wing Change
Cesky Krumlov also uses a central shaft
to pull the wings onstage, but it is operated by winch handles. This system is
illustrated in Motta's treatise.
Drottningholm Court Theatre Wing Change
Drottningholm has a unique system with a
capstan used to pull one set of wings offstage and another set onstage. This
allows the center of the under stage area to be free of obstructions.
BACKDROPS:
The back drops and
the front curtain are wound on rollers and controled by a loop of rope at the
end of the rollers.
