Dragons Den

By Lisa Thomas, Linda Burrows and Vesna Golubovic

War and Peace

Nottingham playhouse – modern, intimate, community.

Based on book by Leo TolstoyVery successfulMixed audienceEducational -literature

Set Design

Mirrors used for whole set.Picture frames incorporated into the set

walls – indication of paintings.Also used as doorways and windows.Chairs used widely throughout – limited

props, versatile.Dining room scene – no table, made you

use your imagination to believe there was a table there.

Costumes

Costumes very basic – could be changed easily by changing outer garments.

First scene very ghost like – pale neutral colours.

Neoclassical styling – military uniforms reminiscent of Napoleon.

Colours introduced by wearing outer garments eg. uniform jackets, coats, dresses.

Our Response to War and peace

The adaptation was successful, and a clear storyline is portrayed well, and you begin to empathise with the characters. It was not necessary to have read the book before seeing the show, as it was easy to grasp the concept of the events.

Overall whole experience was faultless, and enjoyable, and an incentive to visit again.

Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker!

Theatre Royal – older style of building, very grandiose receiving theatre.

Based on the traditional Nutcracker ballet but with a modern twist.

Enjoyable to all ages.Well known story portrayed in a very

energetic and fun way.

Set design

Large spacious bedroom – oversized beds to make dancers seem like children –orphanage.

Flowed really well.Cracking of walls, revealing outside view –

innovative design.Lighting was used to great effect.

Costumes

Very dull in the beginning, to reflect the orphanage. Pale, dark colours. girls wore long grey dresses, boys wore grey shirts and trousers.

Sweetie land became more vibrant and exciting. Costumes were inventive and clever in the way sweets were incorporated into the design e.g. liquorice allsorts dress.

Our response to Nutcracker!

Exciting interpretation, would appeal more to children, with vibrant set and costumes, and energetic dancing with sense of humour.

Sitting in Balcony did not effect our experience of the production. Still able to see the choreography and exaggerated gestures well. Overall was a fascinating and refreshing piece of theatre to watch.

Burying your brother in the pavement

Waverly theatreYouth workshop production – cast all

under the age of 16Well organised.Original storyline, contemporary issues

shown in a different light.

Set design

Small space, well considered design, made full use of the space.

Two levels, steps up to balcony/flatsScreen used for garage door, showing

flashbacks – clever idea.Good sense of placeWalkway into audience, more involved.

Costumes

Furniture costumesSchool uniformsHoodies, trousersProfessionals – suited / smart Mothers outfits – exaggerated, old

fashioned Brother – in white, ghostly.

Burying your brother: Our response

Good to see the studio space used for a professional show, and the way in which it transforms the space – changed the atmosphere.

Appreciated more due to small production, and small audience. A lot more intimate than other venues, being studio theatre.

Although main storyline was hard hitting, it was still meaningful in the way messages were expressed, and still had good humour as well.

Filmic Experience

Precision and detail.Can be changed with technology.Several locations - can be shown more

clearly.Time can be taken to film the perfect take’

Theatre experience

For the moment, cannot backtrack mistakes.

Suspending your disbelief – uses imagination.

Entertaining for audience, making them believe in the environment created on stage.

Designers have to think about making the show flow.

The Pitch

Chosen venue - Nottingham playhouseTarget audience – family with young

children.Imaginative, fun, exciting, humour, colour, unique family entertainment.

Influencing ideas

Use very few props, but in lots of different ways.

Slava’s snow showNo speechPhysical theatre

Dreamtime Adventure

Little boy – bedtime storyDreams relating to book – giant book for

backdrop, reveals each scene.Different adventures that any little boy

would imagine to have – Pirates, Antarctica, Flying, Jungle, pyramids, Australia, under the sea, Paris.

Scene 1 : Bedtime Story

Scene 2: Pirates!

Scene 3: Antarctica

Scene 4 : Flying

Scene 5 : Jungle

Scene 6 : Pyramid

Scene 7 : Australian Outback

Scene 8 : Under the sea

Scene 9 : Paris

Costume designs