How the drum works

Each element of the drum revolve can be used independently: The drum (ie the revolve), the rim, the blue elevator, and the red elevator. The motion of each can also be synchronised to provide any combination of motion. The most visually spectacular is the 'corkscrew', where an elevator rises or lowers while the revolve is rotating. Combined with lighting and dry ice, this can create magical effects.

The complex workings of the drum are clearly explained in this flash animation of the drum revolve.
[Macromedia Flash Player is required to view this (96k) file.]

Some productions have used combinations of the above motions, but most fall into one category or the other. There are several modes of operation:

Swap-over The two elevators have different scenery and each is seen at stage level at different times in the show.

'Droom' One elevator has a large structure built on it complete with roof. The interior of the structure provides settings for interior scenes when the elevator is fully raised. The roof provides an open acting area when the elevator is lowered.

Behind-the-Scenes Elevators are swapped over, or simply used to bring up scenery stored below behind a flown flat, gauze or cloth so that the audience has no idea that the drum has been used.

Quick-change One elevator is used as a storage area and the other comes down to meet it so that props, scenery and actors can be transferred across before it rises rapidly back to stage level.

Revolve One elevator is fixed at stage level and the drum is turned to produce a revolve. This may or may not be used with the rim revolve.

Scenic Automation One or both elevators are used indirectly to create motion, for example, via push-rods, to operate raking or tilting panels above the stage. The elevators may be used to provide motion for much smaller effects within sets, for example raising podiums.

See the drum in previous productions for examples of these different modes.