Sunday, October 18, 2015

The Workshop

I have two other shots here from the backstage area at Southam Hall, for the Opera Lyra production of The Barber Of Seville.


Beyond the immediate backstage at Southam Hall is this scenic workshop area, expanding the backstage area even more. It's used for the making of setpieces for theatrical productions, and is filled with tools and machine equipment (and a portrait of Cary Grant, strangely enough). Passing through here, I wondered what my dad, who could have gone into carpentry had he wanted, would have made of all this equipment. There are also workshops in the NAC for props and wardrobes.

37 comments:

  1. I think that way about my Mamam (gram), but instead of tools, I think, what would she think of all these cookery and bake gadgets these days.

    DId you get snow? We got big fat snowflakes. Soooo pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You have had a interesting trip to be in the backstage.
    These and previous pictures are fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really like the chaise longue in your first photo! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. So interesting to see all these details of Southampton Hall, here and last two posts William. Really enjoyed the peek backstage. Working live on stage must be so nerve wracking, no chance for a 'take two' :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've always thought that it must be really fun to be a set builder!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like that chaise longue too, can see some in a long dress lie on it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a marvelously eclectic collection. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Like I already wrote yesterday: it's wonderful to have a view backstage. Thanks for sharing this!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Again, I find this most interesting as I seldom think of all the work and people involved in these productions. And that portrait of Cary Grant is perfect for the place. Maybe it's to give the workers a little more incentive?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like a well-equipped workshop. I like seeing some of what's behind the scenes.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yes, this is the guts of the theater where sets are created. They usually have an amazing variety of tools like this one. I I see you took this photo at exactly 1:00 PM

    ReplyDelete
  12. My dad was a carpenter--and just about everything else involved with design and building. He would have found this fascinating.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Interesting photos to share. Have a happy Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks like they have everything they need!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wouldn't it be nice to join one of the workshops!

    ReplyDelete
  16. @Whisk: yes, we got snow in the night, and there's some light stuff falling at present.

    @Tex: indeed!

    @Orvokki: thanks!

    @Linda: I figured that would get some comments.

    @Grace: stage fright is not an option, as they say.

    @Tamera: I would think there's always a good deal of variety in the job.

    @Marianne: I can see that too.

    @Revrunner: very much so!

    ReplyDelete
  17. @Jan: I thoroughly enjoyed having the chance to wander through the open house. It's a great concept for the NAC to have the community interact.

    @Lowell: I imagine he must have been here at some point late in his career- the place dates back from the late 60s, and that photo of him certainly fits from beyond that period.

    @EG: so do I. The wall decorations in the workshop are quite unusual for such a location.

    @Red: I figured the time would get noticed!

    @Norma: though I'm not handy with tools, I did find it interesting.

    @Nancy: thanks!

    @Sharon: the shop did look fully stocked.

    @Marleen: definitely for some guys!

    ReplyDelete
  18. These posts on the NAC were very interesting. It's nice to see behind the scenes.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Way cool. Now you've got me humming one of Rosina's arias!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a fun scenic workshop! Are you going to take acting lessons? :)

    Janis
    GDP

    ReplyDelete
  21. That is quite a workshop! Love the Avro Arrow banner!

    ReplyDelete
  22. We have that exact chaise or "chanson d'amor" from the first photo. I begged my mom for it as a teen, had it reupolstered in green velvet and now it's Pinky and Fiona's bed.

    ReplyDelete
  23. @Pamela: and more to come, though tomorrow I'm stepping aside for something else!

    @Ciel: thank you! You really do love the opera.

    @Janis: I did in high school.

    @RedPat: me too. I wonder if it came from a production at some point.

    @Eve: a good spot for those two!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am thinking every theater must have a fainting couch.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Another fascinating look behind the scenes William, an insight into how the magic occurs....

    ReplyDelete
  26. cool architecture, those windows r cool! ( ;

    ReplyDelete
  27. Enjoyed all the backstage views in this post, which go to show just how much work goes into a production.

    ReplyDelete
  28. The front stage must be magnificent when the back stage can be breath taking.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oooh! Thanks for showing this. It's wonderful! Full of all sorts of interesting things...even Cary Grant.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Interesting! So much work goes into a production.

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is the place I like more... until now!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love it backstage. My son is an actor!

    ReplyDelete
  33. What I loved most was being in the choir, lining up to enter in the backstage hallway, and peeking into the dressing roos for the conductor, and guest soloists!

    ReplyDelete
  34. So many interesting things here !

    ReplyDelete
  35. @Janey: possible!

    @Geoff: there's a lot of space back there.

    @Beth: definitely.

    @Beatrice: that's true.

    @Mari: that it is.

    @Kay: you're welcome.

    @Linda: there is a lot.

    @Orvokki: thank you!

    @Revrunner: thanks!

    @Jennifer: and I've been in those spaces.

    @Karl: a whole lot.

    ReplyDelete