Tapestry Hall, in Antwerp, was constructed in the sixteenth century as a vast storehouse and showroom for tapestry merchants. In the 1770s city almoners were allotted a portion of the structure for their theatre.
The new theatre was the largest Antwerp had ever seen, with a length of 39.5 meters (129 ft. - 6 in.), width, 13 meters (42 ft. - 8in.) and house ceiling height of 11 meters (36 ft).
The illusion of perspective was formed by seven rows of wings and borders with backdrops. Wings were shifted by means of the “chariot and pole” mechanism that furnished fluid, simultaneous scene changes. The stage floor contained a series of trap doors and miniature elevator. The flys featured several small flying chariots and a “gloire” (a large chariot with its own perspective scenery).
This is a derivation of the excellent historic research by Timothy DePaepe and translated to VR by i.e.VR, (www.ievr.org). For information on DePaepe’s work with historical reconstruction visit: https://3dtheater.wordpress.com/
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