An improved stage device for conjuring representations

摘要

443,668. Illusion apparatus. PFANNEKUCHEN, E., 80, Brehmstrasse, D³sseldorf, Germany. April 18, 1935, No. 11999. [Class 132 (i)] In a theatrical device for permitting the appearance on and disappearance from the stage of persons, animals, or objects, the stage background comprises a plane surface with folding side wings, or an arcuate surface, 1, Fig. 2, extending to wing pieces 13, 14 and one or more reflecting screens or mirrors 5, 6, arranged normal to the background, the edges of the mirrors being covered by door-posts, flagstaffs, &c. 7, 8, 9, 10, so that to the audience at a, c, &c. the mirrors are invisible, the background 1 appearing continuous. Further posts &c. 11, 12 are provided spaced equidistantly from the posts 9, 10. In operation, the opening between 7, 8 is covered by apparently incidental happenings in the representation when doors 15, 16 in the background 1 are used for the persons &c. to appear at the opening 7, 8. The arcuate background may be replaced by a multiple-surface, and the mirrors may be formed in detachable sections, the joints thereof being covered by posts &c. If the stage is of sufficient depth, the mirrors may be disposed at a greater angle to the stage centre line 3-3, they may have reflecting surfaces on their forward sides only, and one screen only need be used. In another embodiment, Figs. 4, 5, the reflecting screens 5, 6 end in swing doors 23, 24, 25 for the entry of horses, elephants, &c., the door 25 being formed rigid with a column, flagstaff, &c. 18 in which is a further door 26 for persons. A fixed platform 19 has a padded box behind it formed by mirrors 20, 21 extending above 5, 6, a bottom 22 and back, serving for persons who are to appear on the platform. To prevent people seeing between the mirrors 5, 6 from above, they are covered by plate glass having a reflecting surface on top and carrying lights, e.g. coloured electric lamps, underneath. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 a plane background 36 is used with folding side wings 37 and two mirrors 38 arranged normal to the background are covered by a further mirror 39.