The 4 most important roles for shock cords in theatre settings

With all our years of experience at Ibex Marina Ropes, we have established a long history of providing market-leading service to a wide array of sectors, from aerospace to sport and leisure. Amongst these sectors is also theatre and entertainment, which means we have the depth and breadth of expertise to understand the numerous and diverse ways that shock cords are typically used in this space.

In fact, today shock cords have become an essential part of modern theatre production, helping technical crews maintain efficiency, safety and visual control behind the scenes. Their ability to stretch, secure and release without tools makes them ideal for fast-paced environments where stage layouts shift frequently. Whether working in amateur touring shows or large-scale productions, theatre professionals rely on shock cords to manage fabric, scenery, and kit with maximum efficiency. Here are four of their most crucial uses.

Securing backdrops to frames and trussing

One of the most widespread applications for shock cords in theatre involves fixing fabric backdrops to aluminium frames or truss systems. This includes large printed banners, velour drapes, starcloth, cyc cloths and projection screens. The cords provide consistent tension, preventing sagging while enabling the fabric to give slightly under strain, which helps reduce tearing during setup or breakdown. Looping through eyelets and anchoring onto the frame helps stagehands to achieve a neat finish without rigid fasteners.

This setup is especially useful during quick turnarounds, where pre-rigged cords let backdrops be clipped or unhooked in seconds. On touring shows, production crews often use bungee loops to attach scenery to truss sections in transit cases, then transfer them directly onto flown structures once inside the venue. That saves time, and maintains alignment across different locations.

Attaching blackout cloth and masking panels

Shock cords play a major role in hanging blackout cloths and masking panels on stage, particularly in instances where house rigging is limited. These fabrics are used to shape the audience’s view, cover lighting fixtures, or block out windows and backstage areas. Shock cords facilitate their clean attachment to pipe battens, stage decks or wall brackets – and crucially without hard tension that could rip the cloth or deform the edges.

In rehearsal studios and temporary venues, masking cloths are often rehung multiple times a day. Shock cords enable technicians to reposition legs, wings, and borders on the fly, while maintaining a snug fit. Standard 6mm or 8mm bungee loops with plastic hooks are commonly used here, though custom lengths are often cut to fit unusual stage sizes or specific masking arrangements.

Fixing props or temporary scenery in place

On stage, many props and lightweight scenic elements must be secured in ways that support fast changes while still preventing unwanted movement during the performances. Shock cords provide just enough give to absorb vibrations without letting objects slide or fall. For example, modular flats may be strapped together using shock cord ties passed through cleats or eyelets, keeping them flush without rigid clamps.

Props such as signage, soft furnishings or scenic dressings can all be lashed to rails, frames, or hidden supports using quick-release toggles and looped cord. Cable ties or clamps need tools or cutting to remove, which is a major drawback during scene transitions or strike. Theatre departments often use shock cords to rig foam set pieces safely overhead, using a redundant system to distribute the load in case of slippage.

Managing cables behind scenery and flats

Cable management is a constant challenge backstage, especially in venues with tight wing space and multiple layers of scenery. Shock cords are instrumental in helping to tame the mess by offering a reusable way to group and route cables. Gaffer tape or rigid cable ties are often replaced with bungee loops fixed to D-rings or screw eyes at the rear of scenery pieces, guiding power leads and signal cables neatly along a path.

This is particularly effective for wall-mounted LED tape controllers, festoon lines, speaker cables, and DMX runs that must remain accessible throughout the show. The cords can be detached and reattached quickly for maintenance or reset. Where flats are stored or transported upright, shock cords are used to bundle their tails and tailsafe loops safely out of the way. Some designers even incorporate hidden cable routes into set builds, using shock cords as a flexible spine behind the structure.

This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but does provide an insight into some of the most common usage case scenarios. If you have any specific questions about shock cords and their usage in the theatre and entertainment sector – or about any of the markets we serve here at Ibex Marina Ropes – feel free to get in touch. You can reach us through our contact page, or give us a call on 01706 360 363. Our expert team is always happy to help!