The Seagull

During the recent production of "The Seagull" there were several technical challenges that we had to overcome. As well as designing and constructing a 6 piece Kabuki drop, we also had to come up with a way of rigging quick release tension wire system. Initial attempts at constructing this included using a Turfer which as expected turned out to be far too loud to derig during a short scene change. After much deliberation, it was decided that the most effective method involved using an automation motor to create the desired effect.

Having moved a motor to the desired position, we then lowered the line to meet a 15metre wire drift and attached the two with wedge sockets and shackles. we also added a karabiner between the two lines in order to make the release time quicker and simpler. At a lower point in the line (the same height as the top of the curtain a snatch block was used to divert the direction of the line. A ratchet strap was attached to the snatch block and anchored to a scaff bar at a 45 degree angle which would maintain the horizontal position of the line.