dave1022 Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 This year my school's drama production is Romeo + Juliet (in a 60's style). The director is wondering about putting a spiral staircase and small balcony on stage, but I'm not sure that this is possible. The stage that this will be staged on is about 8m wide, 5m deep and 4m tall (off the top of my head) Has anyone done this/seen this done before?Is there anywhere which will hire out spiral staircases?Are there any plans out there which detail how such a staircase could be built? Regards,David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac.calder Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Has anyone done this/seen this done before?Yep and Yep.Is there anywhere which will hire out spiral staircases?Are there any plans out there which detail how such a staircase could be built? There are a few things that need to be considered - namely weights on the balcony etc. Your best bet is to talk to a theatrical set-builder, they often have a collection of basic set elements (including balconies, staircases etc) available for hire at fairly reasonable cost which will have all the load calculations done. A spiral staircase can be bought from a home renovations store in kit form, giving you something like this:http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11822907/Spiral_Staircase.jpg Then you just need a balcony with a cutout for the stairs capable of taking the weights you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Many many years ago I worked on a production of the Duchess of Malfi that featured a very elaborate spiral staircase. On that show, instead of the conventional stairs like above, the ends of the steps were supported by taut steel cables rigged between stage floor and a purpose built "ring" up in the flies. When carefully lit, this could give the impression of a staircase floating without support; lit another way the cables stood out and could be used like prison bars (and the director used it both ways). As I recall, the stairs were a real pig to rig but, once we got there, were a stunning set element. I mention this not to suggest you do this (the engineering involved was complex) but just to show there are always multiple ways to skin the proverbial cat. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryson Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Yes it's possible: If you plan to build one yourself, though, the carpentry/metalwork involved is best described as "advanced..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 There are two types of spiral staircase. 1/ the centre pillar design 2/ the wooden box style. The centre pillar design is wonderful IF you have something adequate for securing the top step which is the bracket that holds the pole upright and secure. The wooden box style is floor standing and has possibly a square footprint (or octagonal) and the steps are supported at both the centre and the edges. This style is better for mobile use as it is it's own strength and support. See if a local staircase specialist joinery company will hire you a demo model cheaply. Ed for spling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedd Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 We've used the ones mac.calder mentioned. They were fine! They come in kit form but, now we've built them up, they stay in one piece and are bl**dy heavy. We've succesfully shortened ours, chopped them in 2 to produce 2 smaller ones, and made them fit into at least 3 sets already. They also react well to emulsion paint to colour them as required!The only slight downside is that the handrail is a plastic tube with a slot that fits over the uprights. Until you get the thing constructed fully, it can feel a little wobbly. They take a fair while to assemble. Oh, and the wooden crates they come in are really useful for keeping cloths in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richb Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 I have a pair (and a balcony to which they attach!) which could potentially be available to hire, but they travel as a unit, so I'd imagine the trucking costs alone may rule it out. PM me if you want more details though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1022 Posted November 27, 2009 Author Share Posted November 27, 2009 Thanks for all the replies guys! At the moment we're just thinking about possiblilities, so nothing is certain at the moment. I was just checking if this was do-able, and it seems to be so that's great Regards,David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizrice4 Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 I have a pair (and a balcony to which they attach!) which could potentially be available to hire, but they travel as a unit, so I'd imagine the trucking costs alone may rule it out. PM me if you want more details though. Hi Rich, Do you still have these staircases that you mentioned? I am looking to possibly hire a staircase for an event we're doing and wondered what the structure of your system was and whether you had any photos. Regards, LizModeration: Topic long dead was re-opened when people were looking for spiral staircases. link to new topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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