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Stage One Play to their Strengths
Stage One were contacted by de Vlaamse Opera Company and asked to provide an integral part of the set for their brand new production of Samson and Delilah, opening at the beautiful Antwerp Opera House, one of Vlaamse Opera's two theatres. Stage One were brought in by Vlaamse Opera's project manager, Kjell Peersman, to provide a steel platform positioned 2 metres above the house stage and containing an in-built hydraulic ramp.
Roy Webber, project manager, Stage One, said: "Requiring input from the metalwork, woodwork, automation and interpretation departments, this project proved to be a perfect vehicle to demonstrate how we are ideally placed to provide a full range of services from under one roof."
The 8m by 8m platform is hinged at the rear, allowing it to be raised and lowered, as the performance requires, to one of two height settings. Set within this, Stage One constructed a tilting ramp. Measuring approximately 2m wide by 6m long, the ramp can be fully or partially lowered, with the tilt being controlled by Stage One's own hydraulics. The complete structure, including concealed structural elements, weighs in at a impressive 6 tonnes. The stage surface of the platform was covered with plywood, then black dance floor. A black fascia was added to the platform edges and the small step to the front.
The Stage One Interpretation department also manufactured a highly distinctive scenic prop: a 6m wide, 4m high red flower, mounted onto a steel skeleton and attached to the rear of a large bed. The flower was constructed from a plywood frame and covered with an aluminium mesh, with each petal being covered in a red material ‘sock'. The petals of the flower fold over at a hinge, concealing the performer on the bed and allowing them the opportunity to disappear through a trap door.
Head of Interpretation for Stage One, Neil Franklin, concluded: "We were delighted to add Samson and Delilah to our portfolio of recent theatrical work as the theatre side of our business is an area in which we all thoroughly enjoy being involved and that we are keen to develop further."
1st May 2009
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