Improvements in Means for Obtaining Stage Effects.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 13th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 21st Oct., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Obtaining Stage Effects.
I, JENNIE MILLS, Dancer, of 152, Brixton Road, London, S.W., do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention for improvements in means for obtaining stage effects has for
its object to provide means whereby it may be made to appear that a performer
is performing beneath the waters of a waterfall or in the midst of the water,
while although real water is employed the performer is not affected thereby
beyond perhaps very slight splashing.
This arrangement is specially intended for the purpose of serpentine dancing
or the like apparently under the falling water.
The scenery consists of rock and tree scenery surrounding-a water-fall in the
centre, the water from which at the bottom runs away towards the spectator
through a rocky bed which serves to conceal the channels by which the water
passes away. At the upper level the rocky bed of the stream causes an effective
turbulence of the water, and conceals the pipes by which the water is brought
to the stream. A small quantity of water comes down from the back over the
rocks, but the greater proportion of the water is supplied through the pipes
arranged above the gauze. These pipes are preferably perforated and the water
passes therefrom between splash boards on to gauze or other thin semi-trans-
parent material attached below. This gauze or the like is secured over the brink
of the water fall being hidden by suitable overhanging rocks and directs the water
downwards. A considerable space is left behind the gauze in which the dancer
can perform being under the upper rocky bed of the stream so that the effect to
a spectator in front is to make it appear that the dance is being performed right
under the water-fall and in the midst of the water. The gauze is supported on
suitable supports and if desired means may be provided for agitating it to assist
the falling of the water. The water does not pass through the gauze to any
appreciable extent and the water upon the gauze gives the appearance of a large
volume of water although in reality there is very little water being used. Exit
pipes carry the surplus water from the lower level away.
In practice the dancer is seen, when the curtain is lifted, upon a rocky couch
in the character of a mermaid; in reality just behind the gauze but apparently
right in the midst of the falling water. To the accompaniment of suitable music
the dancer then proceeds to execute a serpentine dance or the like in the space
behind the gauze and the effect of the water upon the gauze in combination
with suitable light effects and to the accompaniment of the splashing water
gives a very realistic effect of dancing amidst the water.
The details of this invention can of course be varied somewhat according to
the actual stage arrangements and the character of the scenery employed.

page_text: Mechanism for undulating the gauze can be of any suitable character, as such
mechanism may be very simple in character and does not constitute an important
part of this invention. Instead of gauze glass may be employed instead.
Dated this 3rd day of August 1899.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in means for Obtaining Stage Efects.
I, JENNIE MILLS, Dancer, of 152, Brixton Road, London, S.W., do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
11
This invention for improvement in means for obtaining stage effects has for
its object to provide means whereby it may be made to appear that a performer
is performing beneath the waters of a waterfall or in the midst of the water,
while although real water is employed the performer is not affected thereby
beyond perhaps- very slight splashing.
This arrangement is specially intended for the purpose of serpentine dancing
or the like apparently under the falling water.
In order that this invention may be more clearly described, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings which illustrate in diagrammatic form the
main features of this invention.
Fig. 1 shows a front view of the scenery employed and,
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the actual arrangements employed.
The scenery consists of rock and tree scenery surrounding a water-fall in the
centre, the water from which at the bottom runs away towards the spectator
through a rocky bed which serves to conceal the channels by which the water
passes away. At the upper level the rocky bed of the stream causes an effective
turbulence of the water and conceals the pipes by which the water is brought
up to the stream. A small quantity of water comes down from the back over
the rocks, but the greater proportion of the water is supplied through the pipes A.
These pipes A are preferably perforated and the water passes therefrom between
splash boards a a on to gauze or other thin semi-transparent material B attached
below. This gauze or the like B is secured over the brink of the water-fall being
hidden by suitable overhanging rocks and directs the water downwards. A con-
siderable space is left behind the gauze B in which the dancer can perform being
under the upper rocky bed of the stream so that the effect to a spectator in
front is to make it appear that the dance is being performed right under the
water fall and in the midst of the water. The gauze B is supported on suitable
supports and if desired means may be provided for agitating it to assist the
falling of the water. The water does not pass through the gauze B to any appre-
ciable extent and the water upon the gauze gives the appearance of a large
volume of water although in reality there is very little water being used. Exit
pipes carry the surplus water from the lower level away.
In practice the dancer is seen, when the curtain is lifted, upon a rocky couch
in the character of a mermaid, in reality just behind the gauze B but apparently
right in the midst of the falling water. To the accompaniment of suitable music
the dancer then proceeds to execute a serpentine dance or the like in the space
behind the gauze B and the effect of the water upon the gauze B in combination
with suitable light effects and to the accompaniment of the splashing water
gives a very realistic effect of dancing amidst the water.

page_text: The details of this invention can of course be varied somewhat according to
the actual stage arrangements and the character of the scenery employed.
Mechanism for undulating the gauze B can be of any suitable character, and is
not shown in the drawings as such mechanism may be very simple in character and
does not constitute an important part of this invention. Instead of gauze glass
may be employed instead.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
(1) In means for obtaining stage effects the combination with water supply
pipes and water exit pipes of a gauze or other suitable semi-transparent screen
over which the water falls in small quantity but gives the appearance of a large
body of water falling, a space being provided behind this gauze in which a
serpentine dance or the like can be executed and will appear as if performed
amidst the falling waters substantially as described.
(2) In means for obtaining stage effects the combination with suitable water
fall scenery of perforated water pipes A at the upper level by which water is
admitted in small quantity, water exit pipes B at the lower level and gauze or
other suitable semi-transparent material C over which the water flows, there
being a space behind the gauze B in which a serpentine dance or the like can be
executed, substantially as described with reference to the drawings and for
the purposes specified.
Dated this 13th day of September 1899.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.