Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Habeas Corpus falling trousers design

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Habeas Corpus falling trousers design

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3835
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Topic: Habeas Corpus falling trousers design

Posted By: Mr Olie
Subject: Habeas Corpus falling trousers design
Date Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:49am

Hello all

I'm currently doing Allan Bennett's 'Habeas Corpus'. I've wrecked my brains for the last few weeks over a particular scene where Sir Percy Shorter grabs the bust of Miss Wicksteed, a second after whcih his trousers drop (very bennett, no?)

Being left to my own devices on how to make the trousers, i've managed to come up with several flawed ideas and no perfect ones. weights in the pockets seem to be the best way of acheiveing the actual falling but how to keep them up until the time is right, and how to release them is the problem.

To help with the visuals, emagine the character walking on, standing behind a sofa, then walking around to stand face to face with the other character, reaches out with boths hands. touch. drop. Sir Percy needs the use of both hands so holding the trousers up wouldn't work. Also, the timing of the drop needs to be just a second after the grope.

if anyones done this before, has any idea of how it could be done or knows something i dont please help.

Many thanks

Replies:

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:37am

Instead of weights, you could use elastic. For the delayed release you could use a fishing line tied to a ring around his thumb. He grabs the bust, but shifts his grip to allow the thumb to remove the ring which releases a clasp.

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http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
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The theater scrim people

Posted By: Mr Olie
Date Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:12am

see, i thought of elastic first, but where and what would it have to be attached to? if its designed so the elastic pulls down the trousers once released they wold ahve to be attached to the shoes or somthing, or else theres a chance the legs rise up instead.

also, something i should have mentioned before, sorry, these trousers are then removed and left onstage to be picked up by another character later, so whatever modifications are made need to be in mind of the trousers being kicked off soon after

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:44am

Black elastic from belt loop, then below shoes and up to belt loops. So when he steps out, he's done.

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http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

Posted By: Mr Olie
Date Posted: 2/18/09 at 10:12am

you might be on to something there...

so where would the fishing line run to? whats keeping the trousers up? sting belt with a slipknot?

*doodling hastly*

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 2/18/09 at 12:00pm

Not sure, but slipknot sounds about right.

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_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people

Posted By: Mr Olie
Date Posted: 2/19/09 at 8:57am

OK, i think i have it sorted now. Thanks for your help miss frank :)

For the quick release i've gone for a string belt tied under the shirt holding two metal rings on the hips. the elastic from the trousers ends in loops and go between the rings on each side. i've had two keys specially made to be completly flat except a nub and the end to go through the rings and elastic, holding them in place. nylon thread attached to the keys run up through shirt sleaves and tied onto middle fingers. with any luck, having amrs infront should pull the keys out, releasing the elastic and the trousers pulled down to earth!

should work...i hope. will be a nice blooper otherwise.

Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 2/19/09 at 9:16am

Wonderful! Let me know how well it works!

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_____________

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com
1-800-359-2964

The theater scrim people