Definition

1. Noun:
   • A theater curtain that can be lowered onto a stage from above and raised back up: A "drop curtain" is a large piece of painted cloth or other material that is suspended above the stage and can be vertically lowered to serve as a backdrop or to conceal parts of the stage. It is often used to establish a scene's setting or location.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The stagehand raised the drop curtain to reveal a forest scene.
  • For the final act, they used a beautiful painted drop curtain depicting a castle.

Advanced Usage

• "To fly in a drop curtain": A theater term meaning to lower a drop curtain into view from the fly space above the stage.
  • The director asked to fly in the drop curtain during the musical interlude.

Variants and Related Words

• Drop (n): In theater, this can be a shortened, informal term for a drop curtain.
  • The next drop shows a city skyline.
• Backdrop (n): A synonym often used interchangeably with "drop curtain," though a backdrop may not always be designed to be flown in from above.
• Scrim (n): A type of theatrical drop curtain made of gauzy fabric that can become transparent when lit from behind.

Synonyms

• Backdrop: A painted cloth or set wall at the back of a stage.
• Stage curtain: A general term for any curtain used on a stage.
• Teaser: A short horizontal curtain used to mask the fly loft; different from a full drop curtain.

Related Phrases

• To drop the curtain: This phrase can literally mean to lower the drop curtain. Figuratively, it means to end a performance or an event.
  • It's time to drop the curtain on this year's festival.

Related Idioms

• The curtain drops: An idiom meaning an event or performance has concluded.
  • After the hero's death, the curtain drops on the tragedy.

Noun

1. a curtain that can be lowered and raised onto a stage from the flies; often used as background scenery