Theatre Design & Technology - Feb 1968 - 31

years before, it was not until 1896 that the first usable
double-deck turntable was constructed for the National Thea-

Fig. 10 Model of the cylindrical stage for Burgtheater in Vienna
(1955 reconstruction)

tre in Munich.
Since 1945 about 80 theatres have been either rebuilt or
newly constructed in Germany and Austria. The steel construction in all of these varies as much as their external
appearance.
Local conditions dictated a variety of technical solutions, and
the designs depended on such factors as space available
and whether the stage house was to be of horizontal or
vertical design. For instance, at the Burgtheater and the
State Opera in Vienna the old shells were still standing and
many technical problems had to be solved to include modern
day technology in the reconstructions. These problems were
basically caused by the physical Iimitations of cramped
spaces. While many other considerations determine the design of the new European theatre, one basic problem still
remains: how scenery can be moved quickly and efficiently.
(There follow some illustrations in which steel has been used
to achieve new technical solutions.)
STAATSOPER, VIENNA In the reconstruction of the Vienna
State Opera (1955), an attempt was made to modernize
and, at the same time, use the existing building. The earlier
design, by the architects Nuell and Siccardsberg, had steel
in its original construction (1861 to 1869). The most interesting technical innovation is a turntable which can be
folded and flown. This revolver is 57.5 feet in diameter. It
can be folded and stored in a case measuring 62 feet wide
by 19 inches deep. Folded, it is hung at the rear of the
stage and when required is lowered, opened and rolled into
place. The total weight of the turntable in its box is 49
tons (Figures 7, 8 and 9 show details).

Fig. 11 View of one section of cylindrical stage for Vienna·s Burgtheater.

THE BURGTHEATER, VIENNA Another famed house in
Vienna has been rebuilt. The original Burgtheater was founded
by Emperor Joseph II in 1776, renovated in 1888, burned
out in the last days of the war in 1945, and was reconstructed in 1955. The house was rebuilt faithful to the old
form, although the seating was changed.
Since there is no stage space other than the acting area, the
changing has always presented stage designers with a formidable problem. A modern solution was found in the design
of a cylindl ical turntable of phenomenal dimensions (A model
is shown in Fig. 10).
The turntable is 68 feet in diameter over all, and 46.5 feet
in height. In this cylindrical construction, there are 4 hydraulic lifts which can be adjusted from five feet above the
stage floor to 27 feet below. There are also 2 sliding podia
which can be rolled on stage level. In addition, there are
4 differential lifts situated under the main lifts which travel
from minus 27 feet to minus 37.4 feet (See Figs. 11 and

Fig. 12 Playing area of cylindrical stage at Burgtheater. Vienna.
with sectional elevators.

12).
In normal position the stage level is made up of 2 lifts and
2 slide podia. The understage area, which is at the level of
minus 27 feet then, is formed by the 2 lowered lifts and 2
differential lifts.
The lifts and fixed section of the cylinder have a floor at a
level of minus 7.8 feet under the stage level, which allows
for underground scenes and entrances from below. All podia
and lifts can be inclined to 12 0 . The cylinder can be turned
at a variable speed from 0 to 3.3 feet per second. The
electrical controls are contained under the differential lifts.

FEBRUARY 1968

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