Backstage for The Nutcracker

[Chas]

Here's a very good illustration of what it's like backstage where I used to work before I retired, Oh happy memories.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAv4byeaz4o&feature=endscreen&NR=1

 

[clivehorridge]

Here's a very good illustration of what it's like backstage where I used to work before I retired, Oh happy memories.

.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAv4byeaz4o&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Interesting stuff Chas, things I have imagined but never seen, going on backstage. It must have been interesting working out what's going to work and what won't, and how to go about fabrication and installation.

you must have had an interesting and challenging time of it all those years.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Chas]

A bit more Opera House history.
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I started at The Royal Opera House in August 1969. Before that I had worked for a firm called Theatre Projects for over two years in most West End theatres, as shows came and went quite quickly sometimes. one show I worked on only lasted two days. but others ran and ran. Now and again I would get extra work doing 'fit-ups' in other theatres, shows like Cabaret, Godspell, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and many others I can't remember.
The ROH was known as ‘The Factory’ because of its regular churning out of productions.
Little did I realise when I started at the ROH I would be there for 38 years, I would have got less for murder.
Back in 1974 when we did a new production of La Boheme (the one it replaced dated from 1896) the change over from Act 1 to Act 2 was done by building Act 2 first, then building Act 1 on top of Act 2, so on a performance we could do the change without an interval in 5/6mins, our first attempt took 45mins but with practice we did it in 5.
This first clip shows it done now with the moving stage, audience are to the left.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmvPGtClMXQ
more backstage at the royal opera house
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egAz4IUVdkA
Another interesting clip is this timelapse one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjJ73ldYzhY

Most of the people you see in these clips I knew, including the artists
One of the biggest things about working there was there was no ‘class’everybody from the artists and management to the stagehands mixed together socially as well as professionally.
In the old days we had a staff canteen which was situated in the basement below the stage, all nooks and crannies, no daylight and we loved it, and within easy reach of all the work places, stage, wardrobe and offices so we all met on a regular basis. It really was like one big family.
But the new staff canteen was situated right at the top of the new building, great big windows with magnificent views over Covent Garden but it was miles from the stage and workshops so we rarely had time to get there and eat let alone socialise, it was nearer to the offices though so management used it more than us, so it sort of acted as a divide whereas before it brought everyone together.

The whole building reeked with atmosphere, there were little corridors you might not discover for years, I worked there for 4yrs before I found a doorway that led from the fly floor (upper stage area) to the auditorium.
Unfortunately when the place was rebuilt in 1997/9 it became soulless, all concrete and metal instead of wood, which will never in a million years soak up the atmosphere that the old building had.
Ah! Happy days, if I could do it all over again I think I’d become a plumber, carpenter, a brickie anything but a stagehand. No I loved my life there so only joking. . I hope I haven't bored you all too much with my ramblings.