Achieving a realistic hanged man effect had always been a challenge.
In 1973 a new play by Alan Bennett in which a character stages a mock hanging was about to preview and start a national tour.
Especially for that show, Hi-Fli developed a noose and concealed harness to achieve an effortless staging and it remains the most effective method.
The play was 'Habeas Corpus' and it has proved to be one of the most enduring comic plays. In fact, Hi-Fli has staged this effect for more than 1000 productions of 'Habeas Corpus'.
Sir Peter Hall recently directed a new production of 'Habeas Corpus' and, unsurprisingly, decided to call in Hi-Fli.
The Royal Shakespeare Company are using this system in their production of 'King Lear' starring Ian McKellen. We worked with Northern Ballet to create a dramatic finale to 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'. The Royal Exchange Theatre - performing in the round - needed a convincing effect for 'An Experiment with an Air Pump'.
'Habeas Corpus' remains popular with both amateur societies and professional theatres and Hi-Fli has a rig available for hire. We also regularly use versions of this system for 'Female Transport', 'Brassed Off ' and 'Jesus Christ, Superstar!'
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