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July 30th, 2010
We have been telling stories for thousands of years. The simple story was the chief source of entertainment for a long time, that is, until some great person came up with the idea of staging a play. The play simply improved upon the art of storytelling by making it a much more visual and exciting experience. No longer did you have to imagine how the beautiful heroine would look or wonder how the hero looked as he saved the day, you could see it all. Of course, when the play was first invented, it was in a much more primitive state than the huge productions we see in the West End today, where props and expensive theatre sets are the order of the day. Back then, there would have been few props, and actors would supply their own garments for their parts. Back then, there was still a lot of imagination involved.
Today, however, theatre is an amazing spectacle. Theatre sets are so detailed that you could almost believe you had been transported to another time and place and the actors wear expensive costumes which have been painstakingly created for the role. The actors now use authentic props which look realistic, no matter what time period they are representing. We at Keeley Hire have props ranging from the futuristic to the primitive, available for hire. No expense is spared in creating a new world for the audience to relish and revel in, before coming back down to reality. But, at the heart of this entire spectacle, is still the simple story.
Tags: Prop Hire, Props, Stage Props, Theatre Sets
Posted in Theatre Sets | No Comments »
July 17th, 2010
When putting on a show in the theatre, there are many things to be considered if you wish it to be successful. Of course, you will need great actors and a strong script, but you will also need a convincing theatre set, great props and excellent costumes.
Theatre sets are very important, because they set the scene and paint a picture of the world that the characters inhabit. There are many different variations of theatre sets, some simpler than others, which are used to create a whole new world for theatre goers. They can be futuristic or dark and gothic, but without them, the stage would lack atmosphere and the play’s impact would be lessened as a result.
Similarly, props and costumes are very important aspects of any stage play. The clothes people wear show us a lot about them. The outfits worn on stage can tell us so much; they tell us if a character is rich or poor, conservative or outgoing, and they can also give us a good idea of the time period in which a piece is set.
Props can enrich a character and help the actors to play their roles convincingly. They can show us little quirks a character may have, further the plot, and are often central to the proceedings on stage.
At Keeley Hire, we offer an exciting range of props and theatre sets for hire. Our stock will help to enrich and maximise the audience’s immersion in your production, helping you on your way to success.
Tags: Prop Hire, prop hire company, Props, Theatre Sets
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April 27th, 2010
There is much more to staging a play than finding actors and producing a good script. You must have great stage props, an excellent backstage crew and even sound design too. Without these things your production is unlikely to be successful or entertaining for the audience. Stage props, however small or seemingly unimportant, play a vital role in shaping any production. There are many different types of props which can be used to enrich your production and ground it in reality. Props have never been more accessible than they are now, with companies such as ours at Keeley Hire offering a huge range for hire. Some examples of popular props used on stage and screen can be found below.
Signs
Signs are often used in theatre and film productions. They can tell the audience something about the location of the actors on stage or provide a vital clue about the plot. They could be a pub sign, an advertising sign, a newspaper display board or even a road sign.
Food
There are many plays that include a scene in a restaurant or around a family table. To make these types of scenes seem realistic, food props must be used.
Furniture
Every good production set needs some sort of furniture. Whether your play takes place in a bar, a library, train or cafe, you will need to supply relevant pieces of furniture which will let the audience know just where the characters are appearing.
Tags: dining props, furniture props, Prop Hire, prop signs, Stage Props, Theatre Sets
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April 22nd, 2010
Making a film without any movie props would be an almost impossible task which, if you managed it, would almost inevitably leave you with a boring and uninspiring piece of film at the end of the process. The fact is, movie props are as vital to a film as actors, actresses and directors are. They create the mood and set the scene perfectly. A film with no props would make any performance extremely uninspiring.
A film without any props would be subject to serious limitations. It would be impossible for many scenes to take place. For instance, without a telephone prop, no actor could call another on screen; or without a weapon, there could be no fight scene. This would leave you with films with little more than dialogue, leave only a dull and boring performance. However, cinema is a visual medium and any audience who turned up to see a film expects to see rich images, lots of action and a great story.
If you lose any of these things, your film will most likely be unsuccessful. It would not matter how good your script was nor how great your actors and direction were if you did not have good props and great theatre sets to fall back on. With the increasing number of props available for hire here at Keeley Hire, there really is no reason why your movie should not be furnished with all of the props you desire to make your production great.
Tags: importance of props, Movie Props, Prop Hire, Theatre Sets
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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
Posted in Theatrical Props | No Comments »
April 14th, 2010
In order to pull off a successful production, it is of the utmost importance that your set is perfectly designed and your stage props are of the best quality available. Dressing the stage well is the key to creating a visually stunning piece of theatre which will wow the audience and have them talking about your show for years to come.
Unlike the scenery and stage decoration, a theatre prop is a piece of the set which is designed to be used. Apart from enriching the scenery and creating a great set, props are often a vital tool in contributing to the story and can often be an integral part of the production. Some would even say that the props are just as important as the actors and the production team in staging a successful show.
These days prop hire is much more commonplace than buying props outright. This is a much more cost effective choice for the production company and also allows the production to have access to a much wider range of props than ever before.
Prop hire in the UK has branched out a lot in recent years and companies such as ours at Keeley Hire not only supply props for use on the stage and screen, but can also provide props for use at parties and corporate events. For anyone who is looking to make a big impact with their event, prop hire is a great solution which will set them apart from competitors or make their special day that much more exciting.
Tags: authentic props, Prop Hire, prop scenery, Stage Props, Theatre Sets
Posted in Prop Hire | No Comments »
April 8th, 2010
For many people, a night out at the theatre is special experience where they expect to be wowed by the production, the actors and the ever-amazing theatre sets. Over the years, there have been many many spectacular film sets which have catapulted productions into the stratosphere.
When staging a theatre production, it is therefore of the utmost importance that your theatre sets are well designed and true to the time period in which the play is set. This helps to get the audience into the right mindset; allowing them to suspend their belief and be totally captivated throughout the show. A shoddily designed set will automatically turn the audience off and leave them with low expectations of the show, thus giving the actors a much harder time on stage.
There are a few different types of theatre sets which are commonly used in productions. These are flat sets, box sets and round sets. All have various pitfalls and benefits to be weighed up before use but all are very effective in a theatre setting.
Today more than ever, production companies are opting to hire theatre sets rather than buy them. The main reasons for this are cost and storage. It can often be a much more affordable option to hire your set from a reputable company such as ours at Keeley Hire than to buy. Storing theatre sets is also expensive because of their size. If you hire your set, you do not need to worry about safe storage as everything is taken care of for you.
Tags: authentic theatre sets, hiring theatre sets, Prop Hire, prop hire company, Theatre Sets
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March 24th, 2010
Planning events has become big business. That is certainly reflected in the increasing number of customers we have from that business sector. Events are organised now for everything from the traditional occasions of parties such as birthdays, anniversaries and retirements, through to product launches and corporate away days.
Just like a wedding planner, an events planner or organiser is there to take away as much of the stress as possible. One of the ways in which they are able to do this is by being the type of person that is able to organise their own time and priorities efficiently.
This is why we find many of our most popular props get booked out so far in advance. Of course some themes are especially popular such as science fiction. In fact, we’ve found those so popular that we have recently introduced special packages which are more specific within the science fiction heading. These include ones based on ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Doctor Who’.
At Keeley Hire we have over half a million props which can be used to enhance your event. In fact we even have theatre sets, so with our help, you can transform any space into exactly what you need.
Some of our other most popular themes include a suggestion of travel, with subjects such as American, Oriental, Around the World and Jungle. Naturally, there are plenty of props appropriate for the annual celebrations, in particular Christmas and Halloween.
Pirates in a Caribbean setting, the Wild West and the Titanic are some of the other party themes we can help you to achieve.
Tags: doctor who props, Prop Hire, Props, star wars props, Theatre Sets
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March 23rd, 2010
Actors will tell you just how tough their life is at the drop of a hat, or at least that is what some will tell you. Trying to get a job and working with animals, children and props are just some of the well-known difficulties faced by actors.
However, it goes without saying that applying sweeping statements to entire groups of people is not helpful.
Actually, many actors love their work despite the fact that some are perpetually broke and have to deal with constant rejection. The odds of getting any acting work are frankly quite low if you’re new to the business, so it is a wonder anybody tries.
There are difficulties once an actor gets a job in the theatre. They need to be able to adjust to a new crowd of people who may well all be unknown to them before rehearsals commence. They have to learn their lines. They also have to be able to adapt to whatever is thrown at them once they arrive at the venue where they will be performing, including awkward props or even co-workers. This is typically no more than a few days before the play opens.
Add to this the props and costumes that appear at the last minute, and the whole concept is practically a trigger for nervous breakdowns.
In fact, the solution to the last problem is to start using props and costumes as early as possible in rehearsals.
At Keeley Hire, we are happy to hire out our props for as long as you need them, so they’re available from the first day of rehearsals; making your life and the life of your actors a lot easier.
Tags: Movie Props, Prop Hire, Props, Stage Props, Theatre Sets
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