Kabuki Drop Construction and Videos
Machinal by Sophie Treadwell, directed by Laura Di Cicco, Set Design by Allie Cao
The effect is once per show, reset between shows, and consists of a number of electric chair straps that fall at the climax of the show.
Final Assembly
The Kabuki Drop consists of 6 support brackets and, at opening, 13 movable pins with jute webbing straps and buckles, painted to match leather electric chair straps. Due to rapidly-evolving design choices not being finalized until opening night, the pins were made to be movable along the pipe, and the length of the straps was adjustable, hence the long tail hanging off the back of the piece. Activation came from a rope-pulley mechanism with a lever arm connected to the drop by a cheeseborough. A brake was needed because the bearings were too slippery, so a key clamp was kept slightly loose to prevent the drop from turning and activating randomly.
Components
The mounting brackets consisted of a UHMW plastic plate with a 1-5/8" hole drilled to accommodate a 1-1/2" round tube. The plywood supports on either side of the UHMW were drilled wider to prevent excess friction. An additional plywood plate was used in the top half to prevent the supports from twisting. Four steel support straps were used to hold the two parts of the mounting bracket together.
The pins were long bolts with their heads removed, screwed into t-nuts embedded in a plywood plate. These plates were affixed to the rotating tube by a pair of u-bolts. The pins couldn't be simply welded in place because of the probability that there would be requests for changes in their placement on the tube.
The pins were long bolts with their heads removed, screwed into t-nuts embedded in a plywood plate. These plates were affixed to the rotating tube by a pair of u-bolts. The pins couldn't be simply welded in place because of the probability that there would be requests for changes in their placement on the tube.
Prototype Test Stand
A proof-of-concept using sample strap. A heavy weight is affixed to the bottom of the strap to ensure it falls completely off the pin, but in the actual effect, the length of the strap and buckle provided enough weight, and the pins were polished smooth enough to function without catching the grommets on the straps.