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Mechanics helping the stage
The great secret that hides behind the walls of the Teatro Real is its stage house, the space that the artists share with all types of technical devices which make set changes possible, in addition to the sound and visual effects. A gigantic space in the case of the Teatro Real that includes 7 underground levels and 14 above the stage, to reach a total of 77 metres in height.
Thanks to a sophisticated fully mechanised system of platforms, the theatre productions support almost instantaneous scene changes: at different heights the different scenes necessary for each act of the play are already mounted on platforms, and using computers they are reorganised as soon as the curtain falls.
AN ANECDOTE GAVE NAMES TO THE PLATFORMS
It was so complicated to understand the system that was being developed for the new stage house at the Real before its inauguration that the head of the project fortuitously named each one of the platforms in this special way...
The drop curtain at the Teatro Real weights 1 tonne and moves at 1.5 m/s
How do they raise the platforms?
The subsoil of the Teatro Real is limited with an aquifer in order not to take in water constantly, otherwise the theatre cellar would be flooded. In addition, they also installed the 'espirulines', an ingenious highly technical solution to elevate the platforms of the stage house without having a solid ground, as is the case at the Real.
The stage at the Teatro Real measures nearly 1.430 m2.
IN THE TEATRO REAL EVERYTHING IS ON A LARGE SCALE:
The stage box of the Teatro Real is ready to move 18 platforms with vertical movement (4 incline and 4 with horizontal movement). There is also a platform for trailers and another for mounting sets.