In The Limelight – Props In The Theatre!

‘Cranford’-Stoke Rep Players

From extravagant pantomimes to vibrant musicals and gripping tragedy’s, the theatre can transport you into an imaginative world blurring the lines between material and the imagined. At Stockyard North we offer a abundance of props suitable for your theatrical needs, follow along to see if they’re to be or not to be!

‘Dead Ringer’-Carver Theatre 2025

Whether you’re stepping back in time to the Victorian era, dancing in the roaring twenties or a scene set in a modern office. Our furniture and chairs are adaptable for your set dressing desires.

Why Choose Prop Hire for a Theatre production?

Storing your sourced set pieces, furniture and props can be tricky in your rehearsal space particularly if this is a shared space. It can come with challenges like loss and damage. Hiring props offers a hassle-free process without the stress of storing items, especially once your production is over:

Access to quality and variety: A variety of themed props from BCE to the 21st Century with a wide and up-to-date collection of unique and high-quality items, that might be hard to source.
Eliminates Storage: No worries about storing or selling props after the your production, and removes the cost of having to maintain, repair and clean props. It allows productions to have high-quality, period-appropriate, or specialized items that are often expensive to acquire and store.
Environmentally friendly: Reduces waste by giving items a second life, saving the resources and energy that would be used to create new ones.
Reduces Expense: Hiring props in bulk can be a lower price than buying, furthermore ideal for productions with tight budgets which is why we offer a 10% theatre discount!

‘Dial M For Murder’-Hats Theatre Group 2024

Set the Scene – finding your time period props

Establishing your setting is vital for the visual narrative of your production. Having period accurate props and sets can reveal information not said in dialogue and can transport viewers to a specific time and place. Additionally, a character’s props can disclose information about their personality and social status. Therefore allowing the audience to easily follow along, understand the plot and feel connected to the characters.

Creating cohesive visual language with your props can feel overwhelming at first, especially when sourcing second hand and hoping everything will go together. Our chair, sofa and armchair sets are a great option if you’re looking for matching pieces. Whether you’re looking for a Regency style sofa set for a Victorian parlour or a tan vinyl sofa set for a 70s living room.

Take a look at our selection of seating for different time periods:

Click here to see more of our seating inventory.

We have supplied a variety of our seating to theatre companies in the Greater Manchester area and beyond, such as, Stoke Rep Players, Hat’s Theatre Group, Wigan Little Theatre, Nantwich Players, Carver Theatre, Edgefold Players, Hope Mill Theatre and NK Theatre Arts.

‘Glorious!’-Stoke Rep Players

However, it’s not just seating we hire out…do you need school desks for your production of ‘Matilda the Musical’?…or how about chimney sweeps for ‘Mary Poppins’ or even carts and crates for the streets of Paris in ‘Les Misérables’.

“He’s behind you…oh no he isn’t!’

…from small to comically large, our props come in a range of sizes perfect for your pantomime Dame or Tiny Tim. Creating magical effects and giant props is what makes panto PANTO! Are you in the need of a giant turkey or a magical giant key? Props in pantomimes are essential for bringing the fantastical world of the story to life with their size used as visual humour. The exaggerated nature of an ordinary everyday item can really make you chuckle. We have a range of pantomime themed props for hire take a glance at our circus and large prop sections on our website.

Take a look below at some of our giant props we stock!

From Rehearsal to stage…

During rehearsals it is important for Actors to refine blocking, movement and work with physical elements to ensure practicality and comfortability navigating the stage with set pieces. Our free-standing doors are great practical set pieces for scene changes or working out entrances and exits. Additionally, rehearsing with set pieces early on allows director’s to establish pace and natural flow of the story, as well as actors performance confidence.

Whether you’re putting on a small or large production, our props can fulfil your theatre needs and wants, why not pop down for a visit and see for yourselves. Our team is passionate, knowledgeable, and here to support you in finding the right pieces for your requirements…let’s bring your vision to life!