Author Topic: Using glass onstage  (Read 3992 times)

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Anne

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Using glass onstage
« on: Jun 09, 2008, 12:03 pm »
I am working on a prop-tastic show at the moment, which uses tons of assorted drinking glasses: wine glasses, brandy snifters, champagne flutes, etc. I HATE having glass on stage, and always try to use acrylic substitutes, but have always relied on common sense if I can't find acceptable acrylics, going on the thinking that actors use glass in their own homes and in restaurants...

Now I'm being told that health and safety legislation requires all glassware used on stage to be covered with clear Contact paper/sticky-backed plastic. This has to be reapplied for every performance.

Has anyone else come across this?

sievep

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Re: Using glass onstage
« Reply #1 on: Jun 09, 2008, 11:37 pm »
That's news to me . . .I'd check up on that before I put in notes.
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Thomas A. Kelly

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Re: Using glass onstage
« Reply #2 on: Jun 10, 2008, 11:45 am »
Where are you? Never heard that before, but:

1. Look for the acrylics, plastics, etc.
2. At least secure every glass that is not needed to be used to its tray, shelf, table, etc.
3. Use as heavy glass as you can (not always the cheapest) if you must.
4. Have asm or other actors ready to make sudden appearance as maid, etc w/ broom and pan. There is just nothing worse than broken glass on stage.... well, fire, smoke, weapons, xplosives.... but still, it is an avoidable accident waiting to happen, so work with director and designer to use subs if you can.

Anne

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Re: Using glass onstage
« Reply #3 on: Jun 11, 2008, 05:40 am »
I'm in Ireland. All the steps you mention are the precautions I normally take when using glass onstage, but our H&S guy is insisting on our covering the glass with the contact film. Reminds me of the "busy work" that my less-than-favourite teachers used to assign in school!

 

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