Those who are lucky enough to be behind the scenes in the theater know that the splendor and luxury that is displayed on stage looks much less dazzling in the vicinity. Naturally, even the richest theater cannot afford real diamond necklaces and expensive furniture for presentation. We have to do with props.
The word "props" appeared in Italy to refer to props and decorations. In direct translation, it means "fake", but the notion of "fake" will be more correct in meaning. There are many objects on the stage that look like real, but are not.
Why do we need props?
A props is necessary not only to save on props, although, of course, this aspect is important. Sham objects can be much lighter, stronger or, on the contrary, fragile than their real prototypes, depending on the specific requirements of a particular performance. For example, a significant part of theatrical furniture is decorated only from the side facing the viewer.In addition, many fake objects have excessive expressiveness, because of which, as a rule, they look ridiculously close, but they look perfect from the auditorium.
Almost every theater has its own fake workshop, which provides performances with the necessary props. The workers of this workshop are literally "jack of all trades", because they require the skills of sculptors, turners, needleworkers, carpenters, cutters, artists, jewelers. For the manufacture of props used a variety of materials: metal, wood, fabric, composite materials, various synthetics. For example, one of the most popular materials still in active use today is ordinary papier-mâché, that is, glued paper.
Do not assume that props produce "disposable things." On the contrary, many items of props are made obviously more durable than their real counterparts. This is necessary so that the same set of props can be used throughout the theater season, and not create a new set for each performance.
