September 29, 2011

curtain stuck

One problem that could happen during an opera show is the performer's microphone or the sound system malfunctioning.

Last week I was at a show and there was a rather unusual problem - the curtain on stage got stuck.


The curtain was the type that can be raised or lowered by pressing a switch.

It was before the last item. The curtain was being lowered. Most of it was about one-quarter way down when it stopped moving. However, one part continued to move until it was about three-quarter way down before it stopped.


Attempts to fix the problem were unsuccessful.

Finally, the organizers moved the table and chairs and other props to one side of the stage where the curtain was one-quarter way down and you could still see the faces of the performers. And the show continued.


I think the organizers were aware that the curtain was faulty because they did not use the curtain in the other items.

Fortunately, the last item involved only two artistes and they didn't have to move all over the stage or to fight with each other.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I need to confess that this is a long comment.

Actually the attempt to fix the curtain problem was not totally unsuccessful. Much effort was taken to try save the stage curtain in a few occasions from the beginning by manipulating with the switches located at the backstage for the other items too. Unfortunately, the cables just decided to get entangled and even snapped off during the last performing item.

Now, the question was did the organising team stopped there and let the show go on without doing much about it?
Well, the answer is a definitely no. And for that we have to extend a BIG Thank You to the extra effort and spirit rendered by the music manager (Mr W.H) and team - if I did not get his initial wrong.

Looking through the side glass panel from outside the hall, we could have a clear view on how he resolved the problem. Now, let me share this marvelous scene.

He took some effort by lifting a pre-twined rope over the curtain hanging bar with a long bamboo. After 2 trials, he succeeded. Next he managed to hook one end of the rope to the drooping curtain.

As the curtain was pretty heavy, it took a few gentlemen at the backstage to help pull the other end of the rope and by doing so the drooped curtain was lifted up. The whole process took less than 10minutes to resolve. He was really professionally experienced.

Yes, their effort was paid off with a series of applause from the audiences. For a moment, the two performers seemed to be caught off guard with the surprise applaud. As both are professional stage performers, they did not seem to have been influenced at all (thumbs up).

In regards to whether the organisers or perhaps the CC personnel were aware of the faulty curtain now is not an issue anymore. But indeed, the stage curtain needs an overhaul desperately and perhaps regular maintenance if possible.

One important thing to note in life is there are always 1001 problems. But how we could resolve them and treat every issue as a learning process really depends on individual's sense of effort and responsibility.

Clap clap to the success of the whole show. :D

fr said...

Thanks for your explanation.

Yes, in life unexpected problems can crop up anytime. We should not take things for granted.

Anonymous said...

After reading the explanation i think the organizers should not meddle with the curtain from the start. What if some unpleasant thing happen with the curtain, it could ruin the whole show.