London Theatre Effects – The Willing Suspension of Disbelief

Some of the London theatre special effects used in productions are so sophisticated that the audience faints and vomits. The Globe had to station ambulances outside for the Lucy Bailey production of Titus Andronicus as members of the audience were so overcome that they required medical help.

How are Theatre Effects Created in the London Theatre?

Creating realistic theatre effects is a skill that marks out an amateur production from one that is top drawer.  But you will be surprised to discover the simplicity of the most dastardly tricks of the eye and ear.

Special Effect: Dead Animals

The dead and bleeding deer in the National Theatre production of King Lear was so realistic that audience members wrote in to complain about dead animals being used on set. It was, in fact, a prop produced from layers of foam and fake fur.

Props: Heavy Machinery

Canons, wagons, cars and huge machines may look as if they are made of cast iron and heavy metals but many are made of cardboard and then painted to resemble the mud spattered real thing. Just think, they would otherwise be too heavy to move on stage.

Wardrobe: Old, Worn Clothes

The wardrobe department often needs to age clothes to make them seem worn. They do this by putting damp newspaper in the pockets to create bulges, abrading clothes with sandpaper or burning them and rubbing soap and vaseline into the collars.

Damp newspaper can be stuffed into pockets to make them look used

Special Effect: Flying People

It can be breathtaking to see actors flying through the sky or ascending into heaven. They are being suspended on fine heavy duty wire that is so strong it can carry 200 kilos.

Fine heavy duty wire can suspend actors and give the impression of them flying

Special Effect: Explosions

The force of many on stage explosions and the flying debris can have the audience holding their heads and crouching for cover. These special effects are often achieved by using compressed air to expel harmless materials like foam and cork that look like flying debris.

Special Effect: Bleeding Wounds

Bleedings wounds can look frighteningly realistic. Often the actor is holding a bulb of fake blood in his hand with a tube attached to it and as he squeezes, the blood goes to the site of the wound. For stabbing wounds, the actor may have a pouch of fake blood stored in an inside pocket of their costume that bursts when it is pressed with a retractable knife.

Ketchup is not used. Fake blood is made from a liquid that is easy to rinse out.

Prop: Champagne

If you see an actor drinking champagne on stage it is probably ginger ale, it has just the right fizz and colour. More’s the pity!

Food eaten on stage is probably the real thing but if the food is a prop it is often a model made using moulds taken from the food item.

Prop: Fire Arms

Often the gun that you see may be a decommissioned fire arm that has been adapted so that it can’t fire real bullets and cause injury.

Sounds: Squished Flesh

How are sounds of splintered bones and crushed bodies achieved? By pummelling a frozen lettuce, of course.

Sounds: The Sea

A surprising number of theatre productions require a backdrop of the sound of the sea, of waves crashing against the shore. What you may be hearing is a sound track of amplified, dried peas being rolled around on a tray.

Sounds: Crackling Fire

Were you being taken in by the cosy real flame, crackling fire in your theatre production? What you may have been listening to is a recording of someone crumpling empty crisp packets.

Sounds: Flapping Wings

Were you transported to a desert island when you heard the sounds of flying birds in Treasure Island? Well come out of your reverie because what was probably recorded was the slapping together of a pair of leather gloves.

By now you must be wondering where you can witness these special effects. Check out our post on how to choose a London theatre.

Props: Smashed Vases

A prop master’s heart must sink when the play requires an actor to smash a vase to smithereens on stage. They will need to source as many vases as there are performances plus a few extra!

And someone with a delft touch may need to give them a little tap with a hammer in advance of the performance to make sure that they definitely do break on stage.

Find out More About Props, Sounds and Special Effects in London Theatre

The National Theatre has produced a fascinating book All About Theatre by Marina McIntyre 2015 published by Walker Books which is where I have gleaned many of these gems. You can purchase it here.

And beat a path to the National Theatre on the Southbank for some of the best London theatre performances with the most realistic and mesmerising, props, sounds and special effects.

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