I am in the midst of compiling hundreds of pages of documents concerning the scenery collections as the Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado, while organizing a move seventy backdrops from Richmond, Virginia, to Tucson, Arizona. In other words, I need a mental break from this project and American politics.
Attached are some photographs from my trip with Andrew Barrett and Rick Boychuk to Český Krumlov in 2016. Enjoy.
Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Painted detail. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Painted detail. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Painted detail. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Painted detail. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Bottom batten. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Seam detail. Backdrop at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backdrops hanging at the Castle Theatre Museum, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.Backstage at the Castle Theatre of Český Krumlov, Czech Republic.
In 1884, scenic artist Henry C. Tryon (1847-1892) wrote: “A general overhauling is made of the stacked-up scenery, and anything will do which is near the size of what is required – the shape doesn’t matter… The same set pieces have done versatile duty in most of the theatres here for years.”
Here is an example of what Tryon was talking about. A previous door flat was flipped on its side and repurposed for a garden scene, despite the door. I have also included some remaining pieces of the scene as it no longer exists in its entirety. The repainted door flat was again repurposed for the wall of a shack.
A door flat at the Tabor Opera House that was repainted for a garden setting.Remaining pieces from the repainted scene.Remaining pieces from the repainted scene.Painted detail. Remaining pieces from the repainted scene.Painted detail. Remaining pieces from the repainted scene.Painted detail. Remaining pieces from the repainted scene.Painted detail. Remaining pieces from the repainted scene.
Garden drop design by John Z. Wood for the Twin City Scenic Co. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, ca. 1905-1910.
Design by John Z. Wood for the Twin City Scenic Co.
This is part of the Twin City Scenic Co. Collection, Performing Arts Archives, University of Minnesota Libraries.
Painted detail. Design by John Z. Wood for the Twin City Scenic Co. Painted detail. Design by John Z. Wood for the Twin City Scenic Co. Painted detail. Design by John Z. Wood for the Twin City Scenic Co. Painted detail. Design by John Z. Wood for the Twin City Scenic Co. Painted detail. Design by John Z. Wood for the Twin City Scenic Co. Painted detail. Design by John Z. Wood for the Twin City Scenic Co.
The Twin City Scenic Co. Collection, Holak Collection, Northwest Studios Collection and Great Western Stage Equipment Co. Collection are all part of an online searchable database. There are over 3000 images of historic designs produced by American scenic studios.
