The front curtain, also known as the house curtain, act curtain, grand drape, main drape or main rag is a stage curtain at the very front of a stage

Stage (theatre)

In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...

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Typically, the front curtain is raised or opened at the beginning of a performance to reveal the stage set, and lowered during the intermission

Intermission

An intermission or interval is a recess between parts of a performance or production, such as for a theatrical play, opera, concert, or film screening....

, as well as the end of a performance. The most common material for the front curtain to be made from is a heavy velour

Velour

Velour or velours is a plush, knitted fabric or textile. It is usually made from cotton but can also be made from synthetic materials such as polyester. Velour is used in a wide variety of applications, including clothing and upholstery....

 material, often with pleated fullness sewn into the fabric to create a more opulent appearance.

Curtain accents

In some instances of both historical and modern theatres and opera houses, pictures or murals have been printed onto the front curtain, typically to accentuate or complement the architecture or stylistic theme of the theatre. Graphics projected with gobos

Gobo (lighting)

A gobo derived from "Go Between" or Goes Before Optics -originally used on film sets, is a physical template slotted inside, or placed in front of, a lighting source, used to control the shape of emitted light....

 create a similar effect, or allow images relevant to the production to be seen. Stage lighting instruments may project coloured washes onto the front curtain. These washes help accentuate the front curtain, and the instruments which project the wash are known as "curtain warmers".

Types of curtains

The four most common types of house curtains are the french pleats (triple pleats), shirred, grommet and tab top. The wipe style of front curtain is much less common, and typically seen only in smaller theatres.

Austrian

The Austrian curtain, much like the Venetian style curtain, has multiple vertical lines spread out across the length of the fabric. Unlike the Venetian, however, all these lines are linked together. When raised, this curtain creates a series of even swags along the bottom edge.

Traveller

The most common technique for opening a front curtain is a traveller. Traveller curtains remain at a fixed height and open and close horizontally, breaking in the middle. Flown curtains are typically a single large panel which travels vertically, being rigged by a fly system

Fly system

A fly system, flying system or theatrical rigging system, is a system of lines , blocks , counterweights and related devices within a theatre that enable a stage crew to quickly, quietly and safely fly components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and, sometimes, people...

. Traveller style curtains can be rigged from a fly system

Fly system

A fly system, flying system or theatrical rigging system, is a system of lines , blocks , counterweights and related devices within a theatre that enable a stage crew to quickly, quietly and safely fly components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and, sometimes, people...

 as well, in which case they are referred to as bounce or guillotine curtains.

Tableau

The Tableau, or Tab, curtain consists of two overlapping panels, with the lower onstage corners attached to lines. The curtain opens by pulling the fabric diagonally up and out, away from the center.

Venetian

The Venetian curtain, also known as the Profile or Contour curtain has multiple horizontal lines spread out across the length of the fabric. The curtain is opened by pulling on the various lines. Different shapes and heights of curtain opening can be created, since each line in the venetian curtain is independently operated. This type of curtain is also typically the most difficult type to operate because of the many lines.

Wipe

A wipe curtain, named after the film editing

Film editing

Film editing is part of the creative post-production process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and combining of shots into sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. It is an art of storytelling...

 technique called a wipe

Wipe

thumb|300px|Examples of various wipe transitionsA wipe is a type of film transition where one shot replaces another by travelling from one side of the frame to another or with a special shape....

, is rigged in a manner similar to a traveller, however, a wipe curtain opens from either the extreme left or right side of the proscenium

Proscenium

A proscenium theatre is a theatre space whose primary feature is a large frame or arch , which is located at or near the front of the stage...

opening and travels horizontally across the entire stage.