Safety Curtain

[GRC]

What is the purpose of the safety curtain that is lowered during the interval at the theatre? How come it is not required before the start or at the end of the show?

[sddsddean]

It is to seal the stage area from the auditorium in case of fire. I think it has to be tested during every performance, so it is just general practice to do it during the Interval.

[Pinotage]

It dates from olden days when there were some terrible theatre fires. The high open space above the stage acted like a chimney. The lowering of the safety curtain proves to the audience that it exists and is working.

[stoo_pid]

If I remember correctly there is a requirement for the fire curtain (also known as the 'iron') to be raised & lowered in the presence of an audience - of course, the interval is usually the most appropriate time to do that.

The fire curtain would also have been in place before and after the auditorium is open and closed to the public (they are very often left in the lowered position when the theatre is empty as an added fire precaution).  There are actually two reasons for checking it before & during each performance.  The most obvious one is to make sure it will actually come down when you need it.  But it is actually more important to make sure it lowers 100% correctly - an almost-lowered curtain would fan any fire much greater than a curtain that doesn't lower at all.  If it doesn't come down all the way the performance would have to be cancelled & the theatre cleared of all members of the public.

 

[OLIVEBUS]

The main purpose of dropping the safety curtain ( or iron as it is also called) while an audience is present is so it is seen to be properly maintained. If there is no interval the iron is dropped before the show when a number of customers agreed with the council are present