Synopsis

This interactive session provides something for everyone, whatever your connection with putting on plays, as a director, a designer or an actor, or in any of the creative areas such as construction, lighting, wardrobe, props or sound.

The day will run from 10.00am until 5.00pm in the Studio, with coffee and pastries available in the foyer from 9.30. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided during the day, but you will need to bring your own lunch.

Paul Farnsworth is a successful theatre designer whose passion for his subject was fostered as a member of the Company of Ten before studying at the Wimbledon School of Art. In a career spanning more than 35 years, he has designed for many of the country’s best actors in a wide range of theatres, both here and abroad.

He will describe his working process and the importance of communication and collaboration, explaining how to distil the essence of what’s essential, from both the playwright’s text and the director’s vision – ignoring what may be described in the published text. He will do this in the context of the plays in our current season, in particular using Separate Tables as an example. There will be practical sessions involving both costume selection and fitting and set design and layout – all illustrated with reference to some of his recent productions and enlivened by a generous sprinkling of anecdotes. Anyone who has attended his previous sessions will attest to how valuable, absorbing and fun they are.