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Stage forecurtain

Fascinate the audience before the curtain goes up!

Let your velvet curtain be elegant!

After raising the iron curtain the curtain blocking the view from the audience made of a weighty fabric, usually velvet, is lifted or drawn open when the performance begins. After the performance these are rolled down or closed.

In Hungarian theatres nowadays there are typically two methods of opening main stage curtains: the Greek and the Bayreuth.

While the Greek curtains open from the middle to the sides, Bayreuth (or Wagner) curtains are special in the sense that they not only open in two directions but can be lifted as well, providing a larger scale elegant effect!

For this method the velvet curtain has to be tailored and sewn with an entirely different technique, with particular attention to the correct arch that can enable the curtain to work as intended.

With the older methods it was inevitable to show visible seams on the side of the velvet facing the audience due to the way the ropes were led.

Today, the experts of Gerriets[1] have managed to develop a technique for forecurtains sewn for the Bayreuth curtain track systems, with which the curtain appears to be seamless from the front.

What we are proud of is that we have created the forecurtains of several of our theatres using this technique.

For example:

  • Hungarian State Opera
  • Erkel Theatre
  • Budapest Operetta Theatre
  • Comedy Theatre of Budapest
Theatre and stage technology
Stage forecurtain

We offer modern solutions

Our stage velvet fabrics can be used for sewing forecurtains not only in traditional colours, but the unique design of your choice as well!

During the production of velvet curtains the material is fitted with a seam on the interior surface; thus, the viewer does not see the disturbing seam on the surface of the curtain.

Download our catalogue and learn about the possibilities!

We also inform you about warranty conditions during the purchase / sale of forecurtains.

The velvet fabric can be purchased in metres or sewn to custom sizes.

Would you like to know more about the stage forecurtain?

Flame-retardant design, safe to use!

Our velvet fabrics are without exception B1 flame-retardant materials, which are well adapted to stage requirements.


[1] Gerriets is a constantly growing company, present in 19 countries with its subsidiaries and distributors. Since its establishment in 1946 Gerriets has become a professional company serving stage, event, and exhibition needs.

Its activity branches out to every area: production of curtains, sheeting, scenic materials, ultrawide textiles, horizontal fabrics, decorative fabrics, stage velvets, effect materials, stage equipment, for example curtain-moving rail systems.

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Stage forecurtain

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