SAFETY NET

Opéra de Lyon, France

The safety net of the Lyon Opera was made to catch small props before dropping into the orchestra pit. It was time to upgrade the safety and install a net that would also catch performers.

The requirements of the new net were stringent in geometry and operation: a camera above net as well as musicians below the net need good sightlines to the conductor, the conductor must be able to see the feet of the dancers. The stage managers needed a solution that can be mounted and stricken in as little time as possible, whether the pit was empty or already setup for the orchestra. The complex geometry of the stage apron provided the last pieces of the puzzle.

The technical solution was found in a simple but ingenious pulley-based tensioning system that allows fast and easy installation of a net that is fully tailored to the geometry if the pit, with full control over the tensioning of the leading edge. The net stores in a pocket under the stage overhang, limiting the transition time to that of a coffee break.

Owner — Opéra de Lyon
Scenographer — The Space Factory
2026