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Magicianthailand New user 8 Posts |
Hey everyone. I am building a theatre in Thailand and wanted some help with building an inconspicuous trapdoor within the stage for appearances and vanishes of my assistants.
My stage will only be 75cm high and am wondering what the best options would be. Any help would be greatly appreciated also if you can point me in the direction of some good plans that I can put to my build team. All the best, Ed Click here to view attached image. |
bentpenny Regular user 199 Posts |
Even with a small stage, your best bet is to hire an experienced theatre carpenter (even if only as a consultant for your build team). They will save you time and money in the long run. If you find good plans, they will still need to be adapted for your particular set of tricks and for your specific stage. The last thing you want is an accident on stage due to construction.
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Magicianthailand New user 8 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 17, 2022, bentpenny wrote: Thanks, I appreciate the reply. I live on the island Koh Samui in Thailand. They don’t have any experienced theatre build therms out here. I’m not so much looking for a flip and slide trapdoor, simply a trapdoor that can be opened under stage for simply productions. I just want it to blend in with the stage as to not look obvious. Thanks again |
bentpenny Regular user 199 Posts |
Would it be possible to use a type of repeating pattern on the floor? It would be less obvious on first glance. A subtle wood grain would work. Or perhaps painted floor all black. I'm not sure what type of flooring material you have in Thailand. You'd have to source it locally for it to be affordable. I'd suggest using local building construction techniques because if you use anything else, it may look suspicious.
Blending it well will really depend on the skill of your carpenters. Fundamentally they need to be able to build a regular floor, then they need to frame the specific part of the floor where you want the trapdoor for structure while keeping in mind to leave enough space for someone to crawl through with the production items. You really have to figure out what you're producing (how big is it?), how many stage hands will be underneath (you need to have a clear path and space for someone to navigate easily while holding the item, maybe even have a rolling trolley underneath that can be pulled). |
Magicianthailand New user 8 Posts |
Thanks again buddy. I am looking at maybe utilising some sort of sun roof type system so it can tilt up then across the main stage. It is pretty much to produce my assistants etc. as the ground level is so close they would be able to climb up with the aid of a simple step.
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bentpenny Regular user 199 Posts |
Would it be possible to use a type of sliding mechanism? The "lid" would be in the way if you're dealing with a hinge.
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Magicianthailand New user 8 Posts |
Thanks again for the reply. I think the 2 options I am going to try is a cutout section which could be Disguised with two stretchy fabric sheets which would also have a cut out section in place below the fabric when the trap door is not being used. The other Option would be to have a sliding mechanism similar to a sunroof where the sliding hinge is underneath the floorboards.
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