Originally posted by chrisby Hello all, thanks to those who wrote with suggestions for jack's beansalk! however i am facing another problem with it. the nylon line that i want to use keeps breaking, even though the beanstalk weighs only about 20kg and the line has a breaking strain of almost 40kg. we have ended up using a much thicker and quite visible nylon rope instead. the line runs from centre stage up though a pulley, off stage, through another pully and down to the operator. very simple.  there is absolutely no reaction form the audience when the b/s goes up which is very dissapointing. so i really want to use an invisible line. does any one have any ideas??     thanks all

The fishing line would be only for the on stage view, prior to hauling up the growing stalk as it increases in diameter & weight.
The fishing line & stalk run over a roller, untill the  larger stalk (rope) can be anchored when the stalk is fully grown.
Attach the fishing line to a small rope, which inturn is either tied or short spliced to a slightly larger one & so on untill the bean stalk is fully grown.
This way the fishing line only takes minimal wieght untill the larger line can be handled off stage.
I'd use a roller rather than a pulley, as your not festricted by the size of the pulleys reeves.
Preset the bean stalk upstage of a groundrow wall or the like. Lay the stalk out behind the growndrow so it will give the impression of searching movement from side to side as it grows to size.
A bit of smoke, lighting even sound effectswill focus the punters atention. Which I think has more impact than it growing straight up out of the deck.