#front curtain

[i12bent]

Kjeld Abell (Aug. 25, 1901 - 1961) was a Danish playwright who injected new life into Danish theater in the 1930s where Naturalism still reigned supreme, with his Brechtian play Melodien der blev væk/The Tune that Got Lost (1935). He also wrote screenplays, essays, a travel book and a novel - plus children's books.

In addition Abell was an artist and did his own paintings for the front curtains of his plays, plus numerous book illustrations. Here is one from his book for kids from 1937, The Umbrella Rebellion.

[harmonicthemes]

Karina Rafalson and Maria Alexandrova in Front  Curtain.  Photo by Elena Lekhova

[miniatureoftheopera]

The red curtain in Phantom is very transparent. It’s made of a similar theatrical qauze as for example the black see through curtain used in the show. Gauzes/scrims are usually used stretched out on frames and not as curtains. Since they are made for scenic use the width of the canvas can be up to 10 metres or more so no seams ruin the transparent look.

To make creased curtains out of it is a luxury not many can afford.