Another are of the sert that I wass involved with was the creation of a set of stairs to go up along the back of the set on stage right.
Luckily we already had some stairs made from a previous production, unfortunately the rise was too shot so needed to be recified.
So new risers were cut from some 1 x 2 wood. I then had to dismantle the old stairs. It was hoped that this would be a fairly quick job, however it quickly became apparent that the entire staircase would need to be dismantled. Once this was done I attached the new risers to the tread supports. I was then ready to reassemble, Starting at the base of the stairs I attached the first of the risers, WE then used a makeshift jig to set the height of the next tread. We knoew tha tthe the tread ws going o made from 18mm plywood so we used that as a jig.
This procedure was repaeated for each stair until I had the carcas built.
The next prodedure was to attach the treads, these had been precut to size so it was just a matter of screwing them into the correct position. At the top of these stairs was going to be a larger platform, this would allow the actors to turn to get onto the decking , this platfrom was also going to be a stairheight below the decking. This platform was attached at this time. It was then required to make a support for the stairs. The measurements can be seen on the sketch above the height of it was to be 2130mm, Unlike the sketch I actually made a square structure so it had 4 legs, and then 2 support beams horizontal to the ground. This was mad from 2×1 lengths. This frame was bolted to the stairs for support, and ease of dismantle and reassembly. One final addition to this support frame was a horizontal piece tight against the top stair this would allow us to replicate placement. The final job for the stairs was to add the kickplates, these were made from chipboard and attached using panel pins. The stairs were then taken to the set being erected in the box, for rehearsals.
Once in the box I needed to create another kick plate, for the step upto the decking, This was made from 18mm plywood as I needed the depth this gave to enclosed the bolt heads and thus allow the stairs to be snug up against the decking. This piece was bolted to the decking and the stairs.
The final piece to the stairs was also done in situ on set, we needed a hand rail around the top, so further supports were made and these were bolted the the support frame and decking where appropriate. Horizontal pieces were then added to offer safety to the actors.
Matt Cooper 