How to Make the “Flats”
To deal first with the “flats” or separate parts of the scenery. The primary essentials for these are a number of lengths of 21⁄2-inch battening; other requisites being a plenitude of nails of all sizes, glue, brown paper or canvas, powdered color, and size. The purpose of this latter commodity is for painting the wood-work or any other desired article, such as a sideboard, dresser, or fireplace.
Cut the battening to lengths appropriate to the dimensions of the stage, or, in other words, with due regard to the height of the room and the width and depth of the platform.
[Fig. 2] shows the general arrangement of the five “flats,” placed in the order shown, with the largest one, consisting of the double doors, in the center.
Now, as the width of these “flats” depends entirely upon the space they occupy when put into the position indicated by the diagram, the stage carpenter must commence his plan of construction with this fact clearly in mind. Should a particularly large stage be available, then it may be desirable to extend the scenery, in which case one or more straight “flats,” similar to that numbered 4 in [Fig. 2], can be added at each end or where desired.
Fig. 2.—Showing usual arrangement of flats.
Fig. 3.—Construction of “flat” containing door.
Fig. 4.—Flat for window opening.
The frame-work for the respective “flats” appears in [Figs. 3], [4], [5], and [6], the method of joining corners being indicated by the elevation and sectional drawing depicted in the corner of [Fig. 5]. The vertical and horizontal supports are merely fitted in flush and glued. For doors and window openings a slightly stouter battening will be found necessary.
[Fig. 3] gives a clear idea of the main lines of construction of a practical door, which is to be fixed to the “flat” by means of hinges. When hingeing doors, take particular care so to place the hinges that the doors swing outwards—that is, from the point of view of the audience. This precaution obviates the necessity of painting both sides of the doors.
A reference to [Fig. 4] shows a window opening which can be used either as a lattice, working on the same principle as the door, or as an ordinary window, which can be suggested by gluing a strip of wood horizontally across the center.
Fig. 5.—Flat for double doors.
Fig. 6.—Plain flat.
In [Fig. 5] the central opening (the double doors of the plan) serves for curtains fixed to rods by means of sliding rings, or merely as French windows. Of all the “flats,” this is the most valuable, because it is capable of utilization in a multitude of ways. For instance, should the scene be an elaborate drawing-room, the opening will lend itself to French windows, through which can be seen park-land or gardens in the distance. Again, for the presentment of a humble apartment, it has only to be covered with a dresser or any other commonplace article of furniture. Should an opening be required to another room, curtains of course can be hung.
[Fig. 6] depicts a plain “flat.”
The next operation is the covering of the frames, accomplished by the use of brown paper, or, should expenses permit, of canvas. The brown paper is first cut to the size required, and then glued to the frames, only the openings for windows and doors being left. If canvas is chosen for the covering, nailing will be found necessary. To prevent sagging, and to preserve the flat appearance of the material, coat thinly and evenly with a solution of size and water.