J Pearce Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 The SMA are searching for the definition of a 'china man', we've had a few of these old theatre language discussions and I thought the answer was in here, but easily googling the BR has failed me; much like my own memory has failed me on this occasion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seano Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 The SMA are searching for the definition of a 'china man', we've had a few of these old theatre language discussions and I thought the answer was in here, but easily googling the BR has failed me; much like my own memory has failed me on this occasion. It was a form of windlass in the grid, I believe. A drum with several ropes wound around it to pick up a bar like a hemp set, operated from one end with a rope wound onto a larger diameter drum to give some mechanical advantage. There is (used to be?) a chinaman still in situ in the Brighton Theatre Royal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted December 31, 2013 Author Share Posted December 31, 2013 Interesting, thanks Seano. I have reported back to SMA's twitter search with a link back to this topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanhill Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Seano is correct, a Chinaman is a windlass that was generally reeved with two sets of borders, one set in, and the other out. With a pull of a rope, the border sets are swapped. There are two Chinamen in the grid of the Garrick in London's glittering West End. They were a complete pain in the arse when Zorro was fitting up there as they made around 25% of the grid unusable. Cue some interesting rigging using RMD to be able to hang the 20 tonnes or so of lighting, automation and stunt equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seano Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I've just had a rummage around t'internet, and another possibility popped up.. I wonder if "chinaman" might just have been another name for a Chinese windlass (aka a differential windlass). Wikipedia clicky E2AAh, hadn't seen Jonathan's reply when I wrote the above. Interesting. (And yes, glittering indeed, it all sounds terribly glamorous. ;)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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