These backdrops were works of art, huge canvases often depicting rural/garden scenes or town/cityscapes.
One of the most prolific artists
of stage curtains in Victoria was scenic stage painter Barry Henry
George Jaggers (1869-1940). He painted a number of scenic backdrops for
Mechanics' Institutes in Gippsland, and Central Victoria.
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The stage curtain in the Aubrey Hall relegated to the background behind the ubiquitous white board
There are still a number of local halls which have not succumb to the mere film screen perched at the rear of the stage - Aubrey (see photo), Rupanyup, and Kooreh.
450mm of flood water inundated the Kooreh Hall during the floods in January 2011, leaving behind 15cm of silt. While the floorboards and some fittings were ruined and had to be replaced, the historic stage curtains were saved.
So spare a thought for the important historic value of these large scale art objects.
it's great to find information about painted curtains. Do you know anything about a painter or a firm called F Winters or F Wintrs/ they painted the Bullumwaal stage curtain in East Gippsland (central landscape scene with local ads surrounding) and I am trying to find information about it
ReplyDeletemany thanks
I've seen Pam Baragwanath's photo of the Bullumwaal curtain, but don't have any info, suggest you contact the Mechanics Institute of Victoria (http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mivic/) the source of most of my information, who may be able to help or direct you to a source.
ReplyDeleteGood luck