Stage props have been used as far back as the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans but the extensive use of props in theatre productions began in the seventeenth century. Theatre sets may use few props to act as motifs for the themes of the play or they may make extensive use of props, depending on the nature of the production. For example, a musical set in outer space which may have a large cast, might need rocket ships, astronaut costumes, aliens, robots, futuristic intergalactic weaponry and sophisticated special effects.
However, a play featuring two performers chatting intensely across a table may require little more than the table, chairs and some atmospheric lighting, as the sharp dialogue will be central to the actors’ interpretation of the script. The word ‘props’ is a contraction of ‘property’ as traditionally, the stage props belonged to the theatre company. While large theatre companies and national media organisations such as the BBC still have an extensive collection of their own props, companies such as Keeley Hire allow smaller theatre troops, television companies and community theatre groups the chance to hire authentic props for any production.
Large companies still continually approach Keeley Hire if they require specialist props to be hired or constructed, however. Theatre sets can be opulent or Spartan in design, and Keeley Hire are the experts in providing the exact type of props which ensure that your production always remains historically accurate, so that the audience is left to concentrate on enjoying the production itself. We are proud to be a part of both prop history and prop future.
