Good design is obvious.

James Turrell

"I put you in a situation where you feel the physicality of light. This is an art that people try to touch - but there’s nothing there to touch. There is, in fact, no object; there is no image, nor any place of focus. What are you then looking at? Well, I’m hoping that you then have the self-reflexive act of looking at your looking, so that you’re actually seeing yourself see to some degree, so that it actually does reveal something about your seeing as opposed to being a journal of my seeing."

Katrin Brack, Stage Designer

I came across Katrin’s work whilst browsing the Goethe-Institut website.  I am pretty obsessed with the concept of en-masse design.  I know it isn’t anything particularly unique these days, but I still love it.  Stuff en-masse almost always looks great and is super evocative.  Anyway, it seems to be a bit about what she’s about.  I love the clarity that comes with her work.  Here are some pics. Krankenzimmer Nr. 6 Der Fall Esra Anatol Tartuffe (what a bloody perfect choice of en-masse material for this show) Das Grosse Fressen Wow,...

The Making of Bad Theatre

Before I start on this rant, let me say that I am going to try to be as objective as possible regarding my definition of “good” and “bad” theatre.  I am very choosy with theatre that I see and there are often very specific things that need to be fulfilled in order for me, personally, to consider it of good quality.  That said, I think that maybe I can try to define what I mean by “bad” theatre in a way that many might agree with. Bad theatre to me is, primarily, theatre without a purpose.  Someone thinks it would be cool to produce a play.  They have no money. ...

Kinwah Tsang : The Fifth Seal

I would love to do a performance piece one day where the design is ultimately something similar to this.  Four walls, four projectors (typically, I hate AV, but that it usually because it is utilized very badly in theatre), a constantly moving, morphing, assaulting graphical display on the walls that really compliments and strengthens the piece. I can imagine it being anywhere from an epic musical performance with a huge band and fifty vocalists; or a tiny room with one perfect performer who tells a story with every tiny gesture and interaction with the movement on their surroundings.

Jean-Francois Fourtou

Jean-Francois Fourtou is a super-interesting sculpture artist.  I have known about his work for a while now but it has really become prevalent in my mind recently whilst researching for a very exciting upcoming production. I particularly love his Houses series and his exploration of scale, claustrophobia and domesticity. Playing with proportion and scale, Jean-François Fourtou’s Houses includes personal memories of childhood and the fantastical magic of Alice’s Wonderland. The installation in Marrakech includes objects from his Maison du géant (Giant’s House), and the Maison de poupée...

A Little Rant About Theatre Lighting

Excuse me, for defending my industry as a Moving Light Technician.You don’t need ML for good lighting design.The money you spend on hiring intelligent fixtures could be spent on either more dimmers (always nice when you’ve only got 20 ish good ones) or the time of a proper LD to advise… Milk, Two sugars.: A little rant about theatre lighting.

A Desperate Need for Challenge

I’m going a little crazy at the moment due to lack of challenging projects - and the last one only finished a fortnight ago.  But, I also feel like it is my own fault.  As a lighting designer, we tend to be further down the chain of communications when it comes to the initial creation of projects or ideas.  The producer or director picks a script or an idea.  Then they find actors and usually a set designer, and only then does the lighting designer come on board. This is all wrong, and personally, it results in me feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed.  Some people are happy to be presented...

Memmie le Blanc – Production Stills

Production Stills from my latest show, Memmie le Blanc by Hillary Bell. Produced by Union House Theatre, directed by Tom Gutteridge. Set/Costume by Joanna Butler Lighting by Nicola Andrews

Some production stills from the latest 4Larks production, Undine.  Set Design by Sebastian Peters-La

Some production stills from the latest 4Larks production, Undine.  Set Design by Sebastian Peters-Lazarro and Ellen Strasser Lighting by Nicola Andrews and Tom Willis Costumes by Mallory Gross Performed by Karen Sibbing, Luke Jacka, Ben Pfeiffer & Paul Bourke.