by BRIAN HILL
Well now, here’s a neat little Apron Stage, one that is nearly all collapsible, except for the two main stage towers, which for safety’s sake should stay together as made up.
The Stage Board itself after spot lights and wing pillars etc. have been cleared and the tie bars have been loosened will fold in half. Support legs close up underneath into one easily managed piece.
All Bridge Deck Battens, Toe Board, Heel Board, Leaning Bar, Puppet hanging Rail, Top half of extending poles, Tower Ground Spacers and Wing Supports can be rolled up together and strapped tight with Bungies.
All of this should fit quite nicely into the average car. You might need to make some sort of coffin to lay or hang your puppets in, along with your drapes of course.
It would be great to see this little outfit set up at a Summer Garden party and show off some of the hard work you’ve been doing, or at fetes, Shopping Precincts, Arcades and Small Halls. Nothing elaborate, it’s simple really, but very effective.
All the parts can be found at local council reclamation yards.
Bar Stools, I had four but have seen six since then (flood damage).
The Extending Poles are old tent frame poles (I had my pick from a whole kit bag full)
The Hanging Rail is an old 2m curtain pole, complete. Other odds and ends cost me £5.00 for the lot.
I have made some steps to get up onto the bridge and these and some of the other heavier timber came from selected pallet boards carefully taken apart. The Leaning Bar, Toe and Heel Boards are 100mm x 15mm skirting board. The exact sizes will depend on your height, reach and weight.
The final cost will depend on whether you make do or prefer to buy new materials.
