An Improved Mode of and Means for Producing Scenic Effects.

PATENT No. 9798.--BUATIER JOSEPH, Egyptian Hall,

Piccadilly, London.

THE object of this invention is to produce the appearance on, and disappearance from,
the stage of what are, in theatrical parlance, termed "ghosts."

This appearance and disappearance will be gradually effected in full view of the
audience, at any part of the stage, in full light and with any style of decoration, without
the assistance of any visible apparatus.

Hitherto the person representing the ghost has been pushed up through a trap-door in the
stage in full view of the audience, an arrangement which can only be considered as
clumsy, and one in which very little ingenuity is displayed, and also in which all
pretence at an illusion is entirely destroyed.

Now according to this invention, the person representing the ghost gradually assumes a
tangible form, or gradually disappears from view.

In carrying out the invention, an arrangement of screens of special construction, having

a shape corresponding somewhat to the outline of the person to represent the ghost, is
used, which screens gradually become visible or invisible to the audience, at the same
time rendering any person or article placed behind them invisible or visible, as the case
may be.

These screens are preferably formed of a number of steel wires of the finest gauge
secured at one end to a cross wire (it may be spring wire such as that used for watch
springs), and arranged at regular distances apart, say from 1/2 inch to 1 inch. At the
other end these fine wires are likewise secured to a cross wire. The upper cross wire is
supported at regular intervals by fine wires, or in any other convenient manner, from the
upper part of the stage, and to the lower cross wire, at points intermediate of the
connections of the supporting wires, are attached that are termed drag wires.

On tension being applied to the drag wires, the screen will be contracted in width, the
pendent wires being brought closer together. Now, if two or more of these screens be
placed one behind the other, so that the wires of one fill the spaces left by the other, a
complete wire screen will be produced.

The effect of the appearance is produced as follows:-- The wire screens in the open state
are drawn up through the stage. These screens, by reason of the fineness of the wires,
are invisible when first drawn up, but as the tension is applied the wires come together,
and what appears to be the figure becomes discernible gradually.

Behind these wire screens is raised, through the stage, an opaque screen, with the person
representing the ghost behind it. This screen, which is covered with some suitably
coloured material, is so formed that the robes of the person will be retained within the
limit of the screen. When the person is in position, the opaque screen is withdrawn
through the stage, leaving the person standing behind the wire screens. The tension on
the drag wires is then gradually relaxed, and the pendent wires will separate. The figure
thus gradually becomes fully exposed to the audience, the screens at the same time
becoming invisible by reason of the fineness of the wires. The wire screens may then be
withdrawn through the stage.

The disappearance of the person will be produced in a similar manner.

In the accompanying drawings it is shown, by way of illustrating the principle of the

invention, in diagram, in Figs. 1 and 2, an arrangement of the wire screens. Fig. 1
showing the screen in the open, and Fig. 2 in the closed state.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the opaque screen, and Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the
respective positions of the wire and opaque screens; a are the supporting wires, and b
the cross spring or other wires, c, c are the screen wires pendent from b, and d is a
second spring or other wire to which the lower ends of the wires c, c are attached; e are
the drag wires. These latter may be attached to a rod f which, as the screen is pulled up
through the stage, strikes against stops g suitably arranged below the stage, and is held
thereby. The continued rising of the screen puts on the requisite tension, which causes
the wires of the screen to approach one another, as seen at Fig 2.
The opaque screen h, which may be made of any light suitable material, and of any
desired colour, it will be seen from Fig. 4, is formed with side pieces h1, which are set
at an inclination inwards, so as to entirely close in the robes or dress of the figure.

In place of the contracting wire screens a series of screens of some open-work material
may be used, such as net, the mesh of each one of the screens of the series being
preferably smaller than the one in front, these screens being gradually raised and
lowered through the stage to hide or expose the figure, as before explained.

These screens will have an outline corresponding generally to that of the person
representing the ghost, but will not have a frame of any kind, and they will be supported
at several points by fine wires in such a manner that no creases or folds will be made. At
the bottom the material will preferably be secured to a strip of cardboard, the ends of
which may slide in grooves, also formed of strips of cardboard, below the stage, By this
means the respective positions of the several screens will be maintained. In this
arrangement of the screens, the tension will be unnecessary, and the requisite opacity
will be produced by increasing the number of the screens. In most cases it is preferable
that the screens should be counterweighted, so that they may work almost automatically.
Although wire is particularly mentioned, it is understood that one need not confine
himself to that material, as other material, such as thread, will also produce a similar
effect, arranged in the same way; the wire is, however, best suited for the purpose of this
invention on account of its strength.
In most eases it is preferable to paint the contracted wire or other screens to correspond
to the dress of the performer.

It may here be remarked Ghat net curtains or blinds, whether of wire or other materials,
have been used on the stage to ostensibly produce apparitions and disappearances, but
ii,ese curtains or blinds have been placed at the back of a darkened stage, across an
opening suitably arranged for the purpose, with the person or object behind, and the
person or object has not been visible until light has been thrown on him or it from
behind the curtains or blinds, but the effect thus obtained is entirely different from that
produced by this invention, which is carried out on the stage, and in full light.
Net curtains or blinds have been used for the purpose o giving apparent distance, but
tiffs again is quite different from the invention both in object and effect.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, it is declared that what is claimed is--

1. The mode of producing scenic effects as herein described.

2. The use in the production of scenic effects of contracting and expanding screens
formed of fine wire or other materials, substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.
3. The use in the production of scenic effects, of a series of screens formed of wire
or other net, or similar material, in combination with an opaque screen, as
described, and for the purpose set forth.
4. The means employed for producing a scenic effect, substantially as
herein shown and described.