Why are theatres red

But, as it turns out, there is another reason why the red trend prevailed up until today and it has to do with science: red is the first colour that we lose in low-light conditions. With a wavelength of nm, once the house lights go down, the red colour will be the first to disappear from our sight:. By having red coloured curtains and seats, as soon as the lights are dimmed, the theatre becomes darker than having, for example, blue or green seats. Latest Popular Hot Trending.

Menu Ever Wonder Why? Myth or Fact? Subscribe Email address:. Follow us facebook twitter youtube. Search Search for: Search. Ever Wonder Why? Search for: Search. Advertisements fund this website. Please disable your adblocking software or whitelist our website. Theatres had mainly wooden interiors which were always at risk of fire. In the Drury Lane Theatre, London introduced the first iron safety curtain, which would eventually become a statutory requirement in all large theatres.

A thus, the theatre curtain was created. Taking the inspiration from Europe, red curtains were then often used, and the red colour suited the grandeur of the theatrical environment, the trend stayed. The colour red, is also associated with royal patronage. Theatres have a long history with the monarchy, and as such, red was the ideal colour to be used, and the grand style and aesthetic of theatrical tradition still stands today.

Now for the more technical reason. Modern performances today include lighting, staging and production. Red does not absorb light as much as other colours, such as blue or green. This means that if the production team want to cast a spotlight onto the stage, having a red background will help to make it stand out.

Red is also the first colour that we lose in low-light conditions. Meaning when the lights go down, the red colour will be the first to disappear from our sight, enabling the audience to concentrate on the performance. Today, ensuring your curtains and drapes are fire retardant is crucial. Your fabric must conform to British standards BS It is thought that when fire retardant treatments began, the red fabric showed the chemicals the least.

Of course, today there are many treatments available for all fabric types and colours, however it is one of the reasons the red remains traditional today. There are several different sizes and finishes that will determine the style and look of your curtains. Once you have the width length of fabric across from left to right when the fabric is flat and drop length of fabric from the curtain rail or track to the floor you will need to decide the fullness.

Fabrics can be flat or have fullness.