17th Century Throne
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4063
Printed Date: 10/30/25 at 12:10pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 17th Century Throne
Posted By: thrillwill
Subject: 17th Century Throne
Date Posted: 6/10/09 at 8:44am
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Hello All! I am currently building the set for Shakespeare's Measure for Measure which will feature a throne quite prominently. I've been looking at pics of thrones (what did we ever do before google images?) and have been struck by their overall simplicity and elegance. This however does not get me around the fact that other than tables I don't really 'do' furniture. But that's what I love about tech theatre - the challenges! So has anyone ever had to approach this before. I'm thinking build an incredibly simple chair and fancy it up with 1/4 ply. I just don't know how that dressing would go. Here's a pic of my 'inspiration' for the project. I don't think Duke Vincentio would want a gold throne so imagine it in some dark stain - perhaps cherry.  Any input would be greatly appreciated and I'll let you know how things go. ------------- Will Leamon http://www.classiccityarts.com |
Replies:
Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 6/10/09 at 12:05pm
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Hi Will,
I rented a "golden throne chair" that looks much like the one in your reference photo. It was professionally built and very sturdy. It was very ornately formed out of solid resin. I used it as Gaston's chair in a youth production of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" by adding temporary horns to the top with wire. Here is a photo. (You should be able to click on the photo to make it larger). http://www.lowell.to/posters/Beast21.jpg - Throne DBATB. Here is a better picture of the chair, (disregard the kid in the photo): http://www.lowell.to/Tech/DBATB-throne.jpg - DBATB Throne. If you wish to rent this chair, it's at a clown & magic supply store in Greensboro, North Carolina. Maybe they can ship it out of state, I don't know, or maybe you could make the 5 hour drive up here. But anyway, their website is: http://www.brendascostume.com/propsthemessets.html - A rental place. Hey, if you can get by with a more rustic and less ornate throne, then I have one in my prop room that might work for you. I have two matching thrones actually. They are made of solid hardwood - in sort of a Shaker style. They were donated to us many years ago from an old Masonic temple. I've used these wooden thrones in about a dozen plays...from Shakespeare to Cinderella. Here's a photo from the "Be Our Guest" dinner scene in that same middle school production of "DBATB": http://www.lowell.to/posters/Beast38.jpg - Rustic Throne Chair. Good luck with your project. -Dana ------------- Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School |
Posted By: sartori92
Date Posted: 6/10/09 at 10:45pm
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mr lowell, do you have a website with pictures from all of your shows? i would love to see them to get ideas for different projects ------------- "All the world is a stage" |
Posted By: BUMRRR
Date Posted: 6/19/09 at 1:03am
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Will, sounds like we are in the same boat, I am building 2 thrones for Beauty and the Beast, one from scratch and Im revamping another. the following pics are the one that is getting the makeover, the first set is what it looked like a few years back for I Hate Hamlet,( plus the whole set)
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=818018023/a=980417023_980417023/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ - http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=818018023/a=980417023_980417023/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
the next pic is how it looks now, this is going to be Gastons chair, Im going to cover it in long camel "muppet" fur with a set of moose, deer antlers and a set of horns
http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=818018023/PictureID=20129936023/a=980417023_980417023/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ - http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=818018023/PictureID=20129936023/a=980417023_980417023/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
the other one, the Beasts will end up looking more like what your talking about, i start work on that tomorrow, just thought id share these with you to show how it might be done, the ornamentation on it was mostly vacuum form easy ornament that i stapled or glued on, i generally but that from Tobins lake studios. ------------- ...and now, On With the Show ! www.FremontCommunityTheatre.org |
Posted By: thrillwill
Date Posted: 6/22/09 at 10:15am
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Thanks for the input everyone! I decided to go ahead and build the throne and have the frame done. It's made out of 1" x 1.5" lumber (ripped from 2 x 4).I just need to make the back and seat and I have wardrobe working on the cushions. Unfortunately the thing is uncomfortable as all get out! But since I'm the only one who sits in it I suppose I can take it. I'll post some photos as soon as she's ready. ------------- Will Leamon http://www.classiccityarts.com |