Transformation Scene

Transformation Scene, important element in the English pantomime. An instantaneous change of part of a scene, such as a shop-window or a house-front, was usually done by the use of falling flaps, a variant of which was the chassis à développement. By the use of the earlier carriage-and-frame or drum-and-shaft methods, the whole scene could be changed, the backcloth and side wings being drawn off simultaneously to reveal new ones behind. For the swift changes needed for the pantomime a more spectacular method, made possible by the flies found in newer theatre buildings, was the rise-and-sink. A quick change could also be achieved by the use of scruto (thin strips of wood fastened to a canvas backing so as to form a continuous flexible sheet); by the Fan Effect, in which sectors of the back scene, pivoting centrally at the foot of the scene, sank sideways upon each other like collapsing fans, revealing a new scene behind; or by placing rolls of painted canvas like columns across the stage, with lines top and bottom, which when pulled drew the new scene across the old. Various traps were used to enhance the illusion. With the advent of more sophisticated lighting the usual method of effecting a transformation scene became the transparency, which when lit from the front was as opaque as canvas, but faded from sight when lit from behind.