Today our focus is on props, such an integral part of any production.
As the play was written about a true story all the props (as well as the costumes, set and sound effects) all needed to be of the period. Karen Erasmuson did an incredible job sourcing some amazing 1950s props. Sometimes these are not always obvious to the audience if they are not in full view, but for the cast really important.
The play was set within two night clubs - the Court and the Little, so very ingeniously Karen changed the scenes by switching the photographs of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe and a slate showing the bar prices.
Bottles were sourced which were similar to the period and we do have this amazing syphon in our store which has been used for many productions.
More bar items, included coasters made by Karen and a set of 1950s Players Ash Trays.
The Tea Set ready on the props table for the making of tea!
The haunting music of Billy Holiday ran throughout the play and Karen managed to source a record player of the period. Nothing was played on it, it all being handled by Jennie on sound effects but the record player was fully functional with the cast having to change the records and drop the needle for the static to sound and the music to start through the static.
Ewan in his lighting design managed to get a light focused on the record player, so when the stage was in darkness the music and the record player were the only thing seen.
