Stage Curtains For Theaters And Events: A Complete Guide

Cotton, polyester and mohair curtains are the most traditional flame-retardant fabrics on a theatre stage. Manufactured by Saaria as luxurious front curtains, wings, legs, skirts and stage backgrounds, they serve to decorate and at the same time favour lighting and sound conditions.

Types of theatre curtains

Theatre curtains to mask

Directing sound and light is essential on stage. A perfect theatrical experience, therefore, requires framing the image well, so that the performance can have the greatest possible impact.

Stage cover-up curtains are used at the lateral boundaries of the performance space to hide off-stage areas and equipment from public view. These so-called “backstages” and “legs” of the theatre are made of lightweight fabrics that partially or totally conceal atmospheric light to create a black box on stage. They also meet the most specific demands on stage for minimal light reflection.

In addition to absorbing light, some theater blackouts can also be used as acoustic fabrics. Designed for maximum sound deadening and low repercussion levels, these stage acoustic fabrics must be heavy and porous to improve sound quality within a venue.

Stage backgrounds

Stage backdrops are theatre curtains that hang at the back of the stage and can be used for projection or lighting effects. They are often made from canvas and printed or painted with custom artwork to create theatrical sets.

Proscenio curtains

The most famous and visible curtain in the theatre is, of course, the facade of the house, or the main curtain. Traditionally made of flame-retardant velvet, it is the visual barrier between the theatre stage and the audience before the show starts.

Materials for stage curtains

Theatres have a personality that can be accentuated with large custom-made curtains. These stage velours are made of cotton or synthetic materials, available in a variety of weights, and can be dyed.

Cotton curtains for theatres

Traditional cotton theatre velvets are characterized by a directional pile and a striking matte finish. Choose from one of the elegant colours of Puccini, Verdi and Bellini velvets, or discover the value range of 100% cotton velvets, including the midweight Velours Hamlet.

Polyester or synthetic curtains for stages

While cotton velours are chemically treated to make them flame retardant (FR), IFR polyester velours are made from inherently and permanently flame-retardant materials. These stage velours are very low maintenance and more resistant to moisture or wrinkles than any other type of theatre velour. This makes them more suitable for touring than cotton velours.

The extra-heavy Helena CS, Garnier CS, Paris CS and Zeus CS velours, have a vertical surface and a slight sheen of spots, while the economical Velours Delta stage velours are extra wide and guarantee a more matt and intense black colour thanks to their short fur.

Mohair theatre curtains

Mohair velvets offer the most luxurious fabrics in the theater, with maximum resistance and sustainability. Velours Gaudi theatre curtains and the even heavier Velours Palladio are extremely durable and have a long vertical satin layer, good acoustic qualities and excellent colour clarity.

Go a step further and give your Mohair theater curtains their own character by embellishing them with your designs or patterns. 

Fireproof theatre curtains

Curtains and textiles used in public places such as theatres and auditoriums are required by local law to meet specific fire resistance standards. As these standards and certification requirements vary both internationally and regionally, a variety of tests should be conducted on all of its fabrics with advanced theatre flame retardant fabrics.

Theater opening curtains

A front curtain is a curtain or curtains located at the front of a theatrical stage. Typically, this theatre cloth is opened at the start of a performance to reveal the stage.

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Folds and finishes

Theatre curtains can be sewn flat or with pleats for added fullness. Pleats are commonly used to increase opacity, light and sound absorption, or to add more depth to the fabric.

The shades can be folded according to the fabric, application and dimensions of the shade.

• For 100% fullness, that’s twice the amount of fabric used for a flat shade.
• For 50% fullness, it represents 1.5 times the amount of fabric used.

There are different types of pleats possible, depending on the look and feel you want:

• flat fold
• box fold
• carved fold
• pleat tied
• small fold
• butterfly fold
• laminated fold

What determines the price of a theater curtain?

Since theatre curtains must be completely adapted to the needs of the place, each one of them is different. There are many factors that determine the price of stage curtains and linings, but the type of fabric and the amount of material are key.

It goes without saying that a luxurious extra-thick velvet is priced differently compared to a Molton weave, which would be cheaper. But of course, in the wide ranges available nowadays, you will easily find affordable velvet theatre curtains.

The overall size of the curtain drop will also significantly influence the cost. However, always seek the perfect balance between the appearance of your curtains, such as the desired blackout, their acoustic properties, and your budget.