h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Very well done. I have some experience in creating props for musicals. A lot of work goes into those and you only find out if it works once you have shipped everything to the theatre and try to fit it all in. Theatre satges are like machines, the bit you see as an audience is only a small part. To be able to fit in stuff that can be lowered, the room above it must be bigger than the visible stage height.

I just saw a performance of Evita, where the title character was lowered from the heavens at the start and lifted again at the end. Not something for someone with vertigo. You really need to trust the safety harness, going up over 10 metres.

Yes, I've seen some remarkable set design myself, but you're right, it pays to be careful.