June 5th, 2010
If you have written a stage play and would like to turn it into a production, there are many things to consider. Staging a play can be difficult, costly and time consuming. However, it can also be fun and exciting, allowing you to showcase your talents. Below is a list of steps to help you put on the perfect play.
1. Work out your budget and stick to it. At the very least, you will need to buy stage props and costumes. There are ways to minimize your costs. At Keeley Hire, we have a huge range of props for hire at reasonable prices, and you could lower costs further by making costumes yourself. There are always ways to save money, and it is important you find out what they are.
2. Make use of friends and family. If you have friends and family members who have special talents – whether it be acting, sewing or painting – get them involved.
3. Book a venue. Finding a venue to stage your play is one of the biggest obstacles you will encounter. Booking venues can be expensive, and you will never know beforehand if you will manage to sell enough tickets to cover the price. Try to be creative. Find interesting places to hold your play, which are less costly.
4. Casting. Finding the perfect cast, who will not only perform well but also look convinving alongside your props, is very important. Put up advertisements in your local community. You can hold auditions in a local church hall or community club at little cost.
Tags: hiring props, importance of props, Prop Hire, Props, theatre props
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April 20th, 2010
Whether you are staging a Shakespearian play or a rock concert, using stage props is a great way of spicing things up and ensuring that the audience is entertained. The props you use will depend on the type of production you are staging. Obviously, a Shakespearian play will require period pieces whereas a rock concert would probably require something more modern.
Stage props here at Keeley Hire range from the mundane to more out-there and oddball pieces that would be perfect for music productions. Props include anything from a book or a sword to traffic lights, guns and dungeon-esque props like balls and chains. No matter what kind of look you are going for, it is essential that authentic stage props are used.
Stage props add to the atmosphere of the production. Imagine a pop concert where the artist performs on a bare stage; as much as the audience might appreciate the singer, it is unlikely it would be the kind of show they would rave about to their friends and remember for the rest of their lives. Audiences want to see a spectacle on stage and good props are one way of achieving this.
When you think of all the great pop shows it is likely you will think of the likes of Lady GaGa or Alice Cooper – the kind of people who put on a good show and use props effectively. Those who do not are often seen as bland or boring and this does nothing for their sales. Good props put people in a good mood, which is why they are so important.
Tags: authentic props, Props, Stage Props, theatre props, Theatre Sets
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April 15th, 2010
The theatre is a very visual experience. Audiences take a trip to the theatre to be challenged both mentally and physically, and – of course – to have a good time. Often when staging a play, people tend to focus on the actors and the scripts without taking enough time out to consider the look of the production. Badly designed theatre sets can be extremely detrimental to a stage show and can end up letting the whole production down, whereas a well designed set can vastly improve upon the audience’s experiences and perceptions of the show.
Theatre sets are an integral part of the story you are trying to tell. Think about all the things your actors do during the course of a show. Perhaps they read a newspaper or sit down at the table to have dinner with their family. These scenes would not be possible without well thought-out props and an excellent set design. Theatre sets help to move the story along or illustrate a point the actor is trying to make.
Theatre sets and props become particularly important when a production is set in a specific era or in a very specific location as they can transport both the actors and the audience into a different place and time, thus enabling them to invest more in the story which is being played out in front of them.
When hiring props, you should always use a reputable company such as ours at Keeley Hire, as we are able to source and supply some of the best movie props available in the UK.
Tags: Prop Hire, Props, set design, theatre props, Theatre Sets
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March 9th, 2010
Design for theatre involves many different elements. There is the overall design of the set, costumes, wigs and make-up, props, sound, music and lighting. There may also be specialists designing pyrotechnics, or other special effects. Pulling all these disparate departments together usually resides within the remit of the stage management or assistant director, although some prominent directors are very ‘hands-on’; which can be a polite way of describing them as control freaks.
If any one element of the design is not up to scratch, the whole show’s look and feel can quickly unravel. Having authentic, suitable props is essential in order to maintain a performance that looks professional. A show that succeeds in dazzling with its overall design is ‘Enron’, which had a sell out run at the Royal Court Theatre last year and is now in the West End.
The show is large scale in every way and has a cast of 17, many of them playing several roles. However, the backstage team including designers and director numbers 22 – which gives an idea of how the show you actually watch is just the tip of the iceberg.
There might have been more designers involved but Adam Cork not only composed the show’s music but also designed the sound. The show also has its own video and projection designer in Jon Driscoll.
At Keeley Hire, we love theatre and whether you’re planning an extravaganza in the West End or a play in one of the UK’s brilliant fringe venues, we have the props for your show. We specialise in theatre sets and props; all of which are extremely authentic.
Tags: Prop Hire, Props, Stage Props, theatre props, Theatre Sets
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