Amper I to have been involved in theatrics. I am very familiar with gaffers tape. For tempory uses like in the theater it works well and as you say leaves no residue. But when it comes to real holding power it doesn't hold a candle to duct tape.

While the use of duct tape is suppost to be for tempory repairs. I have seen some duct tape repairs that have been in place for years. That is why when I ordered supposed Mil Spec duct tape fro Cheaper than Dirt and recieved gaffers tape I immediatly called to complain. Their basic response was you got what you got. I no longer deal with them.

The best brand that I have run into is the Nashua brand. It was the brand we used in the navy years ago. After years of searching I finally found some again at a HVAC store. I've seen this stuff use for most anything. Very strong and sticky.