Research Project: Drum Revolve

The Drum Revolve used in the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London.

Specifications:

• 5 stories deep, into car park
• Is made on a standard revolve, but with elevators inside
• Sets can be built on top of the elevators
• Within a minute: sets can then be sunk into the stage, revolved, then lift another bare set of the stage

Watch the National Theatre's drum revolve here

Watch the National Theatre's drum revolve in action here

Research Project: Interview

Interview with Jason Daily, Workshop Manger at the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh.

I asked Jason the difference between the revolving stages the lyceum have used in the past and the stages that they now hire from the Revolving Stage Company.

Past revolving stages:
I was told that in the past the wheels that were used on the revolves would roll along the floor but apparently this was quite loud and if there was a problem with any of the wheels the whole revolve would have to be taken up to try and fix the problem.

An example of how the wheels of the past revolves would roll along the floor.

Present revolving stages:
Jason told me that he would never go back to the old way of revolving a set on stage. He went on to explain how with the revolves that they now hire, have wheels upside down and a motor in the centre so the floor can revolve on top of the wheels. Therefore if there is any problem with any of the wheels, it's just a matter of lifting a section of the floor and fixing the problem. He also said that the revolves are extremely quiet so it does not interfere with the show.

This is the revolve that the Lyceum Theatre now use when they require a revolving stage. Note how the wheels are upside down so the floor can move with ease.

Learning: Curved Stage

Constructing a Curved Stage

On the 26th of October 2013 I traveled to the Lyceum Theatre workshop to make a curved stage I had been asked to make it for MCL. The Master Carpenter of the Lyceum Theatre, Richard O'Conner, didn't have the time to do it so he asked me.

I started off by cutting out four sheets of 18mm ply 2m x 1m as that was the size of the steel deck that MCL used.

Then I cut out five more different size sheets these would be layed where I would route out the curve. Screwing all the the sheets to the floor I found all my centre points. The Lyceum had a jig for routing out curves which was very useful. Its a long plank with a hole at one end where the router can slot into. Using this jig made it a lot easier to get my curve by making sure the router blade was touching all my centre points and I had my centre point on the floor to started routing.

After I routed it all out it was just a matter of putting everything together. When I was first asked to make this I was a bit nervous as it was paid work and I didn't want to mess it up but with a bit of guidance from Richard at the start of the day I felt better and better about my work as the day went on.

Looking back, I'm glad I took this job on. It has given me more comfidance to take on jobs in the future and to go out and seek jobs.

Deck Plan

Work in progress #1

Work in progress #2

Work in progress #3

Work in progress #4

Research Project: Modern Revolves

Research on new techniques, processes and alternative stages.

Revolving stages have come along way since they were first invented in Japan. We now have the technology to have stages that not only revolve but ones with integrated lifts. Below is a drawing to show how versatile a stage can become when a revolve or lift or both is introduced to a stage.

(WELD-FAB Ltd drawing, BLURTON 2001)

This revolve encircles a hydraulically driven scissor lift. 

The revolve is driven by two friction-drive motors.

Another example of how revolving stages have advanced is shown in this short video. In the video there is a double revolve - an inner and an outer. Something like this would greatly add to a theatre production.

                                                         

  

Research Project: Roots of Revolves

Research on revolving stages

(Uzuhiko TSUBOI, 2002)

The roots of revolving stages can be traced to Japan. Japanese original stages were created through a fusion of performing arts, carpentry technology and skills.

Progression of revolving stage mechanisms in the Edo Era

Revolving stages began with double stages, in which case a movable stage was installed on top of a normal flat stage. Initially, these stages were capable only of forward-reverse and left-right linear movement, but later on rotational movement also became possible.

Next came the development of the "cutout" type revolving stage, in which case a circular section of the flat stage was cut out and made to rotate on the same plane as the flat stage.

Thereafter, attention was given to improving the smoothness of rotation of cutout type revolving stages, and efforts were made to improve rotating mechanisms. Cutout type revolving stages were divided into two types based on the relationship between the stage and its supporting central shaft: "spinning-top" stages and "spinning-dish" stages.

1. Spinning-top stages: The revolving floor and shaft were connected, and the floor was rotated by means of rotating the shaft. The revolving floor and its rotating elements rested on an ukedai track located under the floor perimeter.
2. Spinning-dish stages: The revolving floor rotated on the top of a stationary central shaft, which was planted securely in the ground. Rolling elements such as balls or rollers were attached to a retainer and enabled smooth rotational movement. This construction is similar to that of a modern slewing rim bearing.

Konpira Theatre' revolving stage mechanism

Here is a diagram and some photos of the revolve in the Konpira Theatre which was constructed in 1835. This revolving stage is the cutout, spinning-dish type and has a cage & roller apparatus. It must have taken so much work to build this revolve using only hand tools.

 Outline of the Konpira Theater revolving stage.

 Cage & roller set of the Konpira Theater revolving stage.

This is a photo from underneath the stage at the Konpira Theatre.
The stage was made to revolve with manpower using push poles 
located around the central pillar.
Photographer: Christian Kaden

This is a photo of the stage at the Konpira Theatre. 

If you look closely you can see the cutout of the revolving stage.

Photographer: Christian Kaden.



Research Project: Dark Road

Dark Road Get-Out - Revolve stage 

On 20th October, I was involved in the get out of DARK ROAD at the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. 

It was a set that was on a revolve and I was lucky to have been able to see the skeleton of the revolve. These are the images from during the get out. 

This video on how a revolve is constructed by the company - The Revolving Stage Company - who provided this service to the Lyceum Theatre. 

Finally, this link from the same company is interesting in that the technological advancement allows for the software to be sold to theatre or event companies to control up to eight revolving stages. 

http://www.therevolvingstagecompany.co.uk/encoding/

Research Project: Topic Proposal #2

Topic Proposal: Revolving Stages

I have been tossing ideas in my head on the topic of my research project.

After watching a video on a stage production of the Hobbit it got me excited about revolving stages or alternative stages.

I watched this Youtube video: The Hobbit at The Grand Theatre - time lapse of set build and it showed two separate revolves – an inner and outer – which must have been very challenging to build and rewarding to see its completion.



There was another Youtube video: Underwater Stage Lifts for Le Reve (Handling Specialty Stage Lift Solutions) that showed how dynamic a stage can look using hydraulics to elevate actors and sets. This one even brought the stage underwater.



I can draw on my experience working on two sets that have invested in revolving stages: A Taste of Honey and Dark Road at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh.

The use of the revolving stages added to the performance of the actors, the story line and a dynamic sense of time and movement. Dark Road especially used the revolving stage to change sets and whilst doing so, the movement of the walls become projection panels to continue to tell the story while in between set changes – all this is due to the revolving stage.

The floor of the stage and its ability to revolve, move up and down, can add to the props, set and actors.

Research Project: Topic Proposal #1

Topic Proposal: TV and Film Sets

I had been considering for my research project the area of study for sets on TV and film, However upon thinking further and looking through the questions posed on the Proforma, I realised that this might be too ambitious due to the following reasons:

1. Accessibility
I do not have contacts in the industry of TV and film who might give me the relevant information (bulleted point 4)

2. Strengths
I do not have prior experience in set making in TV and film and will therefore not be playing up to my strengths,

But my gut tells that this might be potentially very exciting to me as a project subject. More on this soon.

       

Learning: Steps

Constructing Steps

The past few weeks, I have been working on the 5m long steps for the panto. This has been a big challenge. While building the step I have learned how to make a template to cut out all the formers to create the shape of the steps.

Also the steps have wheels underneath them. I have learned how these are assembled and attached to the steps. I have attached some photos of the completed steps.

Completed steps

Complete - before paintwork

Single Wheel

Wheels added