telones

Telones are large fabric curtains used in theatres and performance venues to conceal the stage from the audience, hide backstage equipment, and facilitate scene changes. The term telón is used in Spanish for the front curtain as well as for stage drapery in general.

Types of telones include the front curtain, or telón de boca, which opens at the start of a performance and separates the audience from the stage. The telón de fondo refers to backdrops or large painted fabrics that establish the setting. Black or dark curtains, often called telón negro, are used to mask wings, control light spill, and aid in rapid scene changes. In addition, theatres employ various borders, valances, and additional drapery to shape the stage.

Construction and operation typically involve heavy fabrics such as velvet or velour, with linings and fire-retardant treatments. Telones are suspended from tracks or battens and are moved by manual pulleys or motorized rigging systems. The exact mechanism can vary by venue, but reliability and safety are central concerns in their design and use.

Function and significance: The opening of the telón marks the beginning of a performance, and its lowering signals intermissions or the end of a show in many traditions. Telones influence acoustics, lighting, and visual composition, serving as essential elements of stagecraft and aesthetics.

Historical note: Curtains have long been used to conceal scenery and enable seamless transitions on stage. In contemporary theatres, telones continue to play a practical role while also symbolizing the separation between audience and performance in the performing arts.