t: 01289 332900 e: info@starscape.co.uk

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Star cloth by Starscape

A fibre optic star cloth or star curtain is most commonly used as a stage backdrop in theatres, clubs, cruise ships and DJ consoles.

Our fibre optic star cloths are made from theatre grade black wool Serge with a removable cotton casement lining.

Up to 40 superior quality 1.0mm optical fibres are arranged in the star cloth in a random manor and secured to the rear with our own clutch system.  

We’ve supplied star cloths to some of the UK’s most prestigious theatres, but also to local amateur dramatic/opera societies and at both ends of the market we aim to offer a friendly, professional service.

Why use fibre optic-based star cloths, rather than cloths using individual LED “stars” or pea lights?

Well, with fibre optics and modern LED-based light sources you get the best of both worlds.

Using fibre optics rather than hundreds of individual LED stars you greatly reduce the number of electrical components. So, there’s just one electrical component rather than hundreds. There’s only one failure point.

The Little Angel Theatre Islington

The Little Angel Theatre Islington ordered this 4 metre wide x 2.5 metre drop Blue Wool Serge Star Cloth
with 30 stars per square metre for their Christmas production of “Me”

The stars were placed in the top half of the cloth only.

Two separate circuits with two independent MiniLED750DMX light sources powered the fibres.
Three fibre diameters: 0.75, 1.00 and 1.50 where used to give a three dimentional effect.

You can look at a short video of the production here.

We have a standard specification for our professional fibre optic star cloths, but many of the parameters can be changed to suit a customer’s specific needs or preferences.

Cloth face: Black in Heavy Wool Serge (800gms per square metre) The Serge is fire rated at DFR – Durably Fire Resistant.

The cloth retains its fire resistance after washing – not that it’s practicable to wash a star cloth.

Lining: Detachable lightweight cotton casement which has a continuous Velcro fastening around the edge of the cloth.

The casement is fire rated as NDFR – Non-Durable Fire Resistant. The lining will have to be re-proofed after washing.

The cloth is connected to the light source by a short bundle or ‘tail’ of fibre protected by a tube of cloth.

Fibre density: 10 star points per square metre up to a maximum of around 40. The star cloth above at 10 per square metre is in our workshop. Fibre: 1.00mm diameter Polymer Optical Fibre. The fibre has excellent light carrying qualities and flexibility.

Connection to light source: The hundreds of fibres converge at the edge of the cloth to form a "tail" linking it to the light source. This is normally around 60cm long, but longer tails are available if required.

Light source: Please consult the light source page for options. All our sources are economical LED-based machines and most can be controlled via DMX.

Light source

Stage Fixing

We can fit G Clamps and saftey tethers if the light source is to be suspended.

Star pattern: Most of our star cloths are made with a uniform distribution of stars – a pattern designed to simply add glamour and glitz to an event.
However, from time to time we’re asked to arrange the fibre optic “stars” in a more naturalistic pattern, to actually look more like the night sky (See the photo of the Black Swan Theatre production above).

A peek behind a multi-circuit star cloth bound for a cruise ship.

Mounting: Most of our cloths are supplied with webbing ties at the top, however, other systems are available:

Webbing Ties

Eyelets

Golf Bag Hooks

Tab Hooks

This is an interesting short video of the fibres that power a star cloth.

Get In Touch

  • 01289 332900
  • info@starscape.co.uk
  • Woodside Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 2SY, United Kingdom