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Stage Magic: Behind London's Spectacular Sets
12 Apr
Summary
- A mirrored chandelier with 144 electric candles illuminated Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
- A hidden disco floor transformed the final moments of a play with Lorde's music.
- Technical artists create elaborate sets, from mansions to beds, for London theatre.
London's stages are brought to life through the behind-the-scenes artistry of technical wizards. Productions feature intricate engineering and design, from a monumental mirrored chandelier for "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" to a transformative disco floor for "John Proctor Is the Villain." These elements, often conceived with novel engineering solutions, enhance theatrical experiences.
The creation of a five-meter-wide chandelier, equipped with 144 electric candles, for "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" required extensive collaboration among skilled craftspeople. Its design, inspired by a Terry's Chocolate Orange and the Duomo, allowed for segmented construction and accessibility for lighting.
Another production used a bed that doubled as Juliet's bedroom and a tomb in "Romeo & Juliet," controlled by a winch for dynamic stage presence. For "John Proctor Is the Villain," a hidden disco floor, created with special vinyl stickers over LED tiles, provided a spectacular finale, its reveal prompted by lyrics from Lorde's song.
Elaborate set pieces, such as a large, dilapidated mansion for "The Authenticator," showcase meticulous attention to detail in scenic art. The mansion, complete with hidden compartments and aging effects, immerses the audience in the play's atmosphere, demonstrating the profound impact of these unseen artists.
