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A source of inspiration for contemporary productions: historical stage equipment at Stage|Set|Scenery

 Germany – Can baroque stage equipment be of use in contemporary productions? At Stage|Set|Scenery Jérôme Maeckelbergh will demonstrate that they can indeed be a source of inspiration. The international trade show and conference for theatre, film and event technology is co-organised by Messe Berlin and Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft (DTHG) and will take place from 20^th to 22^nd June in Berlin. In Hall 23 there will be a special display of historical stage equipment, featuring a model of the Bourla Theatre in Antwerp by Jérôme Maeckelbergh, as well as a research model by Chris van Goethem and panels describing the exhibits.

Whether dramas or musicals, Maeckelbergh has worked as a scenographer and head of design on numerous productions at the Royal Youth Theatre in Antwerp and is a member of the International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT). At a meeting of OISTAT he became aware of modernisation plans for the Bourla Theatre in Antwerp, one of Europe’s last remaining major theatres with unusually well-kept stage equipment from 1834, whose building fabric was of historical value. The modernisation plans were able to be halted and the historical stage equipment saved. Jérôme Maeckelbergh took the opportunity to put together an exhibition entitled Heritage Theatre Machinery – Unexpected Possibilities in Contemporary Productions, which has already gone on show from Taipeh to Texas and will now be stopping in at Stage|Set|Scenery. It features video clips and animated images which relate not only to the 1:10 scale model of the Bourla Theatre. The aim of the exhibition is to explain the stage equipment and systems as well as to highlight the amazing possibilities offered by historical theatre equipment. It is also intended as a source of inspiration for scenographers.

With the help of TheaterMuseum Berlin e.V., for the first time the exhibition will also be held in German. Van Goethem’s model is used to explore historical stage equipment, which can be repeatedly tested with different set-ups, and which with the support of TheaterMuseum Berlin e.V. will be explained at the exhibition.

In addition to the special display showing the Historical Theatre, Stage|Set|Scenery will feature a wide range of topics. Companies from every sector required for a successful production will be exhibiting at the international trade show. They represent architecture, stage technology, stage equipment as well as furnishings, make-up and costumes. The International Stage Technology Conference and the Excellence in Stage Technology Round Table will debate topical issues, including Which strategies for restoring Germany's theatres will determine the future?. Furthermore, on 22^nd June a symposium of the scenographers' association Bund der Szenografen on lighting and stage design will take place with Yaron Abulafia. On 23^rd June, the day after the show ends, trade visitors can take part in excursions, including to the Barenboim Said Academy, he C/O Berlin Foundation, which features an exhibition of photography and visual media, and to the Asisi Panorama Luther 1517 in Wittenberg.

9th June 2017

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