🌟 A Spotlight On... Set Design  🌟

20th July 2023

I wanted to use this post as an opportunity to share some of the most captivating set designs I have seen over the years. I intend to show an appreciation for the world of set, from the shows that haven't made it onto the Jackstage profile.

1. Moulin Rouge! - Piccadilly Theatre, London

- Derek McLane Assoc. - Erica Hemminger & Ben Davies

I couldn't kick this list off with any other show than Moulin Rouge! Whilst the auditorium remains in it's tradition proscenium arch, an extra catwalk has been created for a very inclusive sense of immersion. If you love the colour red, you'll love this show! As soon as you enter the auditorium, you are transported to the famous Parisian club, and so many scenic elements indulge your senses into an atmosphere of passion. And melding very well with the actors, pre show entertainment really seeks to draw you in and believe the magic.

2. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical - Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

- Frankie Bradshaw

The set for Beautiful is unlike any show on this list, and even any I have seen! The really charming thing about this musical's staging is the rehearsal room feel. Scenes are rapidly interchangeable, and the wooden panels that form the walls of the rooms give a very unfinished and evolving feel, as it mirrors Carole King's rehearsal journey through to stardom. The set always felt so connected to music, with a dedication to King's rich history. Audiences can even see through to the backstage and wings, which was a lovely touch to see crew working on the show.

3. Rock (of the 'Rock Paper Scissors' trilogy) - The Crucible, Sheffield

- Ben Stones

There was something incredibly captivating about the set design for Rock. Unlike some of the others on the list, the visuals were incredibly realistic, albeit some abstract sequences. The set was immediately striking as an abandoned warehouse, the site of an old Sheffield scissor factory. The connection to the city's history was wonderful to see, and the decrepit scenic design felt a very much forgotten part of history. It greatly juxtaposed the settings of Paper and Scissors, a wonderfully empty space available for a rocker's paradise.

4. A Midsummer Night's Dream - Hull Truck Theatre

- Emily Bestow

As a production brought to Hull by local citizens for the theatre's 50th anniversary, this was a splendid celebration of classic theatre with a modern reinvention. Visually, the woods featured very strong, bright colours, which really reinforced a refreshing childishness against the Athenians. The entrances/exits through the audience were used very effectively in conjunction with Puck's mischievousness. A disco ball and fairy lights (pictured above) really helped to solidify the Shakespeare play as a wonderfully joyous community show.

5. Bugsy Malone - Hull New Theatre
- Jon Bausor Assoc. - Jack Valentine
I really adored Bugsy Malone, because of its dedication to resembling the 1976 film, whilst still maintaining the theatrical craft. Fleeting scenes of a New York gangsters world were so incredibly dazzling and charming, sometimes comedically done against the child actors. The era was wonderfully defined, with the crime vs glamour that goes beyond Bugsy and Tallulah. Lighting complimented the set beautifully, with transitions which were incredibly slick, including fly towers and simplistic design, to allow for beautifully creative choreo. And the boxing ring was a definite highlight!

6. Back To The Future - Adelphi Theatre, London
- Tim Hatley Assoc. - Ross Edwards
Walking into the Adelphi, you can peak through to the auditorium, where you see a powerfully illuminated blue covering the room. The light traces branch off from the stage to add to the technological themes, particularly futuristic settings. Although initially blue, they occasionally change colour, a wonderfully surreal experience. The musical pays tribute to some of the most iconic scenes from the film, certainly that of the DeLorean, whereby movement is feigned with projection to recreate the moments of time travel. The essence of shifting time periods is very well done across the show.

7. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory - Leeds Playhouse (Quarry Theatre)
- Simon Higlett
This show appeared to be very common with younger kids in the audience, though I don't think age was a factor to enjoy this spectacular show. At Leeds Playhouse's Quarry Theatre, Higlett's design was an absolute marvel, and it became a magical experience which didn't purely rely on flashy sets, instead using projection, which allowed scenes to flow in a very dynamic way. The change in design between Charlie's home and the affluence of the factory is so captivating, and the elevator summed up the musical's beauty perfectly.

8. 2:22 A Ghost Story - Criterion Theatre, London
- Anna Fleischle
As 2:22 takes the the UK by storm, it felt so important to reflect on the naturalistic set of Jenny and Sam's home, designed by Fleischle. The clock/timer is an essential feature, situated towards the left of the stage, and it creates a frightening, impending atmosphere as the climax looms. The ordinary, mundane home works beautifully as dangers lurk in the most simplistic places. The patio doors create an omnipresent darkness, and the Alexa system is delightfully comedic to juxtapose the static and tense nature of the set.

9. Girl From The North Country - York Theatre Royal
- Rae Smith
For this Bob Dylan musical, with a setting during the Great Depression, the murky naturalism hits extremely hard, as nothing is glorified. The onstage band generated a really rustic and homely feel, and certainly aided a lot to the atmosphere. There was a contrast between the ordinary and the abstract, with a cyclorama along the back of the stage which allowed for very striking images with silhouette. A table was often situated centre stage, reminiscent of family as the core of the community in desperate times.

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