The 50' rule was introduced in the 1990s. Before that from the 1960s it was the lable game if
platform stage versus legitimate
stage. I believe prior to that the term was full working
stage, which most high schools were not. Lot of older high schools over 50' that never had a fire
safety curtain.
I don't believe the rigging in the op's photos could have been from 1885. Calling Rick Boychuk.
Interesting doesn't begin to describe this installation. No. I do not believe that this is a 1885 installation in Cuba. The first documented installation of
counterweight was, in fact, 1888 in Vienna. Other things tell of a later date, as well. Plate
iron side plates.
Channel arbor tops and bottoms. But, ... rope lift lines. I have never seen or tell of that in a
system. Are humidity levels constant in Cuba? Or are the lift lines adjustable? The DP
counterweight system in the National Arts Centre in Ottawa (1967) has adjustable operating lines. The adjustment is made at the
head block. But, look at the operating lines here. they are tied off to the top of the
arbor. They do not go around the
arbor sheave and back to the
head block. This is a hybrid
system; the lift lines are double
purchase, but the operating
line is single
purchase. This is really timely. The new
counterweight system in the National
Theatre in DC is also a hybrid
system. These are the only two that I have seen. A third is documented in Sachs'
Modern Opera Houses and Theatres, and was supposedly installed in the New English
Opera House for Gilbert and Sullivan (1891). I would guess that this
counterweight system in Cuba was installed in the 1920's. The National
Theatre counterweight system in Havana was installed by Peter Clark Company out of NYC in 1914. It could have been inspiration for this. And, like the National
Theatre in DC, the Santa Clara
theatre would have been a hemp
house with elevated
fly floor reconfigured to
counterweight. And, like DC, the
counterweight arbors are onstage of the operator. Also similar to the Scottish Rites. I will spend more time with the images. Do you have any more?