We just wrapped up Beauty and the Beast at Poolesville High School (Maryland).
One of the many production challenges this show offers is The Rose. I have seen a rental
unit a couple of times, but I did not think it all that impressive in view of the cost.
Here is how we built the Rose for about fifty dollars:
Materials
>3/8" soft copper tubing, four feet
>green florist's tape
>fine steel
wire, 24
gauge
>large silk roses, one per performance
>large glass flower vase
>single 120volt
halogen "puck light"
> table/pedestal/column
-The pedestal was placed on a high fixed section of the set, six feet above
stage surface. Our pedestal was on
hand, made of
PVC plumbing pipe and toilet flanges screwed to plywood rounds.
-A 2-1/2" inch hole was bored in the top and bottom of the pedestal and the
stage platform below.
-A plywood round to match the pedestal top was prepared:
The center was drilled to accept the 3/8" tubing.
A hole was bored next to the center to accept the puck light.
A
groove was routed to accept the rim of the glass vase.
A
line was scribed between the
groove and the hole for the puck light.
The disc was cut along this
line with a jig-saw.
The result was a center disc four or five inches in diameter and a donut-shaped ring with
groove.
-After painting the visible surfaces, the vase was seated in the
groove in plumber's
RTV silicone sealant.
-The tubing and the puck light
wire were passed through the holes in pedestal and
stage platform and the center disc secured with screws.
-The visible copper tubing, about 12", was bent into a naturalistic curve and wrapped in florist tape, incorporating a leaf or two from a silk rose.
-petals were 'sewn' each with a steel
wire and arranged in bundles with
wire length corresponding to petal location.
The script was marked up for petal drops and a student placed under the
stage platform to operate light and rose. As each
wire was pulled, a petal fell.
Many thanks to my wonderful graduating
Props mistress for her cooperation in building and operating this
effect. Go get 'em, Tessa.
Mr. J