Bittersweet Sunshine..

I have worked on the projection screen at the back of the set, this will be used for flash back scenes, where Solomon (who was a child soldier in Sierra Leone) imagines huge shadows from his former life taking over his surroundings.

Bittersweet Sunshine..

This design is for a play that I am doing with Red Ladder/Red Grit, for the emerge festival in Leeds.

The play is based on a guy called Terry who runs and English bar in the Costa Brava, his neice comes to visit him to ask questions about her Father and find out about his past.

During my research I have been looking at the photographer Martin Parr, who over saturates images of the stereotypical tourist on holiday. I also liked the idea of the Costa Brava/the bar/ their lives being very gray and dull, old and worn but having a facade that is all flashing bright over saturated, as Ben put it "hyper real". Another thing that stood out to me when researching into the bars in tacky holiday resorts is the bombardment of hand written black board sign advertising all the home comforts from England. They almost tessellate the walls of the clubs and bars.  I liked the idea of having lots of these signs, either advertising the usual fish n chips, pukka pies etc..or maybe some of the things that the hostess/rep talks about during her odd speeches!  For example "casual sex", "extreme alcohol intake" etc etc!

Under Milk Wood model box..

I have been developing the design for Under Milk Wood. Adding texture and colour to the floor and adding set dressing to show different locations and scenes.  For example currently you can see the washing that is hung up by Polly Garter. 

The floor is split into different section also mirroring the hands of a clock face and sections of a clock.

Under Milk Wood model box

This is the first stages of the Under Milk Wood model box, the reverend Eli Jenkins writing desk is upstage right on the raised floor. There are lots of suspended props and costume surrounding the central set.