Why are turntables designed to revolve?

Turntables are designed to revolve primarily to allow quick scene changes during performances. This mechanism enables the stage to change from one setting to another without requiring lengthy breaks in the action, keeping the pacing of the production fluid and engaging for the audience. By rotating the turntable, multiple scenes can be pre-set and then seamlessly brought into view, which is especially valuable in productions where time constraints are critical or where maintaining audience attention is a priority.

While creating visual interest in performances or enhancing lighting design are significant aspects of stagecraft, they are secondary to the primary functional purpose of a revolving turntable. It enhances the overall aesthetic and functionality of a production, but its main role is to expedite the transition between different scenes, thus serving the dramatic flow more effectively. Facilitating safer movement of actors is also an important consideration in stage design, yet the revolving feature's primary advantage lies in its ability to enable quick and efficient scene changes.