Now the production is over and the Garrison Theatre handed back it's time to share how it all came together in our Behind the Scenes blog posts.
First up is Set Design and Construction
This was Robin Atkinson's first large set design and construction working with Director Morag Mouat from the outset. The modern part of the play (1980) took part in an attic with the historic scenes (1939) on the front of the stage. One character, Lil, had to walk between the eras and so access was needed between the two sets.
Before rehearsals stated Robin built a concept model to scale so that Morag could ensure the blocking of actors moves would fit the set when built. The areas of the steps were marked out with tape at every rehearsal in the Drama Room at Islesburgh so the actors became familiar with the different levels even though they were not walking up and down steps.
The finished set on the stage at the Garrison Theatre.
Robin built the set in our workshop at Gremista and over the next few weeks David Grieve and Cheryl Cluness along with other members got the detailed painting completed. This also allowed the actors (on a very cold day) the opportunity to try it out in terms of working with the steps and the levels. A superb opportunity for the cast as our time in the Garrison is limited.
The set was dismantled and moved into the Theatre on 2nd November and a small crew of IDG members rebuilt the set on the stage.
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Well done to Robin and the rest of the crew for undertaking such a huge and very different design and build of a set.
Robin Atkinson
Set Designer and Build Co-ordinator
Set Building and Painting:
Robin Atkinson
Helen Dickson
David Grieve
Sarah Kerr
Andy Long
Teresa Slater
Karl Ward
Kathy Duffus
Donna-Marie Leask
Cheryl Cluness
Zoe Galbraith