Set Design and Construction: Guillotine

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Guillotine

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=4746
Printed Date: 10/30/25 at 10:51pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Guillotine

Posted By: Kim L.
Subject: Guillotine
Date Posted: 8/11/10 at 7:33am

I am in the beginning stages of designing sets for Scarlet Pimpernel (the Musical). I need to build a guillotine and would like to find a design plan (so I don't have to wrack my own brain for one). Ideally, I would like to have it partially working. Such that, the blade begins to come down just as the lights are cut and then you hear a "boom!" which the audience will know is the guillotine coming down. Any designs out there? Thanks!!

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Kim

Replies:

Posted By: acooper10
Date Posted: 8/14/10 at 6:12am

I just helped my friend build one for pimpernel last week and it turned out really well! We went off of this:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Full-Scale-1792-Guillotine-1/

We used metallic silver tape for the blade and covered it with fake blood and paint to make it look aged.

Hope this was of some help.

Posted By: Kim L.
Date Posted: 8/14/10 at 8:17am

Thank you. That does help. And the website is a nice little resource.

I am still somewhat of an amatuer set designer and construction person. Do you think your friend would mind if I asked him a few questions about how he plans to design certain scenes/elements? Thanks for your help already!!!

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Kim