Exit Stage Left

"‘Exit Stage Left’ is a unique contemporary theatre piece which involves the work of our graduating School of Performance students. Incorporating excerpts from this academic year’s productions (including Ship of Fools and Coyote was Going There) as well as newly devised material, this is a bold and innovative extravaganza offering the audience an experience unlike any other.

Performed at Pavilion Dance in the heart of Bournemouth’s art-deco Pavilion Theatre, ‘Exit Stage Left’ marks the culmination of three years of study for our School of Performance students and signifies the start of their journey into the professional arena. Over 150 students will take part in this production from all three courses. This collaboration between the courses emulates the way in which the creative industries work together, and lets the students experience the thrill of a live production. It is just one example of how the University Colleges specialist courses work together to realise innovative ideas that help prepare students for careers in the creative industries."

                                   

 Exit Stage Left inspired much of my initial set design. The set and props created a showcase/ rehearsal type environment; with see- through wings and backdrop the audience could see backstage at the control and prompt desks. When entering the environment the clothes rails were on stage and then cleared for the actors to warm up. Instructions were shouted out to the lighting team and acts were introduced informally by the actors. 

The set was easily adaptable, remaining the same but with props to aid the scenes. The lighting played a key part in setting the tone for the scene, with coloured lighting to reflect each mood. The simple see- though plastic sheets picked up the colours well as did the plain white background behind.

I took from this the effectiveness of lighting and how best to adapt a scene quickly and effectively with a symbolic outcome. I wanted my set to be simple, to support the costumes not over power them, and to achieve an easily changeable set.

The props were reused for different purposes and moved about the stage swiftly and as part of the act. I have picked up on this idea with my table design; by splitting it into three pieces it can fulfil it role as a restaurant table, office desks, a den and a kitchen.