Stage Management Question

[Johnrolph]

Hi,

 

Im currently working on an amateur production of Tennessee William's Glass Menagerie. (as such our budget is small!)

 

During the final scene a small glass figure is knocked onto the floor and breaks - however only its horn breaks off; the rest of the figure has to remail intact. If anyone could offer advice on how this could be achieved I woudl be most grateful. (its also worth noting that the theatre is a small studio theatre so it will be almost impossible to cheat the breakage)

 

Thanks

 

John

 

PS. also if anyone knows where I might obtain a set of glass animals cheeply this would also be appreciated.

 

 

Moderation : unnecessary ALL CAPS topic title corrected to lower case. Would members please note that ALL CAPS posts and topic titles are unwelcome on the BR.

[the kid]

I've never done the play but how big does it need to be?

 

Could it be perspex, pre cut and have a loose joint on it so that the horn falls when hit?

 

Might be a stupid idea but its a thought.

[Johnrolph]

it needs to be fairly small - about 3-4' tall, I have thought about the perspex idea but not sure how to make/ or wher to get it from.

 

thanks for your post though

 

John

[mac.calder]

If the figurine is not touched often, get a figurine the right shape and size, break off the horn and then glue it on with a glue stick or some other weak bonding agent.

 

For glass animals, go to the local oportunity shop. They often get in glass animals. Or if it is a really short season, go to a glass blowers, and ask if you can hire (or borrow and place an add for them in your program) some glass animals. Give them a security deposit and return them at the end of the season. They will look at you as if you are insane, but most will be okay with comming to some sort of arrangement.

[Jivemaster]

Mould the figurine in clear casting resin, using a peelable mould cast from a suitable figure. - Look out children's plaster casting sets and moulds. make several, and several loose horns.

 

It will help to minimise the drop as most things break when they hit a hard floor hard enough!

[Brian]

it needs to be fairly small - about 3-4' tall,

I think you mean 3-4" ? (hint - inches).

[gareth]

it needs to be fairly small - about 3-4' tall,

I think you mean 3-4" ? (hint - inches).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Spinal Tap! Stonehenge! :o :)

[Johnrolph]

I think you mean 3-4" ? (hint - inches).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

yep -foolish mistake......it was quite late when I wrote that post......:-S

 

thanks everyone for the suggestions!

 

John

 

quotes fixed

[JonHirsh]

Every version I have done or seen have all done one thing just have a resin unicorn so it doesnt break and two just pretend like it has broken off no one in the audiance for 1 cares or doesn not want to belive that it isnt broken so if your actor plays it up and doesnt flaunt the figurine infront of them they will belive it is broken. its supposed to be glass and small about the size of your palm so dont freak out over this just get a small one and just pretend thats the way to do it.

 

 

JH

[Johnrolph]

Hey all,

Thank you for these suggestions some are very helpful, Am still open to other ideas if anyone has them.

Am currently considering having a resin horse with a horn made of plastic lightly glued/tacked to its head..... now where can I find a resin horse........!?

 

John

[Jivemaster]

The same toy shop that sells you a horse - think farm anamals or cowboys, will sell you the clear casting resin and the mould making resin (vynamould???) and the plasticene required to modify the design to suit. LOok at http://www.tiranti.co.uk/indexhome.asp for casting, resins and mould-making.