A Conversation for Some Tips on Making Stage Props

Beauty and the BEAST

Post 1

Head Prop

Hi
I am currently involved in a production of the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast. I have hit a massive problem with one of the costume props required involving a spinning plate attached to the back of a member of the cast. In total I have to make four plates with a diameter of 44 inches by approximately 1inch thick before the beginning of May. My initial idea was to make the plates from dense foam, I found a company on the internet and they assured me the foam was correct for the application described to them. However, after spending nearly £100 the foam supplied was totally useless, it was weak and very floppy. My problem is what material to use and where to get it. The material has to be light enough for the girls to carry and dance with.


Beauty and the BEAST

Post 2

Kit

I hope you found a solution before May!

I would have used paper mache smoothed very slick around the foam as a shell. Paper mache has been my saviour many a time - it's quick to use, quick to dry, and it's not the end of the world if it breaks. Not good for a long run because of it's brittleness, but definitely what I'd have used in your situation.

Hope the production went off without too many hitches!


Beauty and the BEAST

Post 3

bwaybudd

Hi my school did beauty and the beast. the plates were card board glued with white satin over it. to spin build a back harness with a metal dole in the back.. on the cardboard circle attach a metal plate to the back and sandwich it in if this makoes any sense.
goodluck


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