"ARENA" SCENERY - METHODS OF SUPPORTING A GROUND-ROW.

BACK VIEW (not to scale)

This shows how the "church tower" is overlapped and slotted behind the main "houses" section of this ground-row. The sketch is not to scale but demonstrates how the 2" x 1" timber supports are nailed edge-on to the flat to give it strength.

BRACES FOR A GROUND-ROW

Whatever system you use, the flat needs to lean slightly backwards, so the angle at "B" needs to be less than 90 degrees.

BRACE TYPE "A" is a simple piece of unsupported hardboard or plywood nailed to one of the uprights. This is suitable for a lightweight item such as this flat but not for anything heavy. The big drawback with this form of brace is that it is permanently protruding so is hard to store offstage.

BRACE TYPE "C" Is the more conventional system and is known as a "French brace". Again the angle has to be less than 90°. The brace is hinged so it can fold against the flat. I sometimes put a cheap cupboard clip to stop the brace opening when carrying the flat onto the stage. If there is a tendency for this ground row to get knocked or fall over, then weigh it down with a sand-bag laid across the bottom beam of the brace.

When building scenery I avoid any "real" carpentry. So, to avoid having to make a joint, I nail in a plywood triangle on either side of the supports. (See drawing) It is hard to describe the reason for this but the three pieces of wood which go to make up this brace are all on different planes. You'll discover what I am trying to describe when you come to build it.