Make sure you get to work on these as soon as possible so there’s enough time to spend on the details, and for fixes if something breaks. Actors can spend more time rehearsing with their props, too, rather than only during tech rehearsals. For example, The Royal Shakespeare Company mentions that, when making severed heads for plays, it was quite a process that required covering actors’ faces in plaster. This was time consuming for both the prop team and cast. You also want to be wary of additional requirements needed for stage performances with weapons. If you’re using a gun, even if it’s plastic or an imitation gun, then you will need to prove that it is necessary for the performance in order to legally use it. For rehearsals, under the ‘Realistic Firearm’ Act – which covers a range of weaponry for theatre -, you’ll also need to prove the necessary use of other weapons for both theatres and rehearsals.
