There's a perception that big painted theatrical backdrops are old fashioned. Passe'.
Sadly, this is largely true. Nowadays we're more likely to create a backdrop, if we even want one, using projections. (And consequently the art of scenic painting drops is dying away.) It's even more common to do away with scenic drops entirely, instead using the upstage cyc (or scrim or wall) simply for fields of ever-changing color.
But a painted drop can be pretty spectacular. Look at this one, for a production of The Magic Flute:
But even in modern productions, usually for a "period" piece, sometimes a painted drop is still useful. Here are a few I've designed in my career...
This was designed for the Trinity Shakespeare production of The Winter's Tale. Huge! To lay it out the scenic painter took over the whole floor of the opera rehearsal hall.
Below is another narrow drop - one of three painted legs - for Stage West's production of Into the Breeches!
For both these shows we wanted a touch of tradition and "period" which hand-painted drops nicely provided.
So much for history - what am I up to today? Another post coming soon...
