Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk
Creative Director Alisdair Hawthorn Written by Alan McHugh Set Designer Robin Peoples Lighting Designer Oliver Gorman Sound Designer Sam Cunningham Production Team Stage Manager Natalie Wilson Technical Stage Manager Jennifer Howes Chief Production Electrician Patrick Watson Stats Venue New Athenaeum Performance Dates 7th - 13th Dec 2013

Company

Creative Team

Script Writer - Alan McHugh Director - Alastair Hawthorn Set & Costume Designer - Robin Peoples Choreographer - Kerry McLellan Musical Director - Doug Price Lighting Designer - Oliver Gorman Sound Designer & Operator - Sam Cunningham Vocal Coach - Jean Sangster

Technical Stage Management

Flyplot

Due to the size of the LX bars, it was necessary to brail a number of the bars.

Pit Bridge

In previous performances which require the use of a pit bridge, there had been a number of various solutions to this problem.

For this show, it was felt that a stock platform, with stock treads should be built. This could then be customised with different height legs.

Technical Challenges

Beanstalk

A crucial element of any production of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' is not complete without a beanstalk... This year, our beanstalk was provided by the Designer, Robin Peoples. It consisted of a fan unit, with a large section of rip-stop fabric attached to the top, forming the 'beanstalk' element.

As we were concerned about the amount of noise the fan would produce if it were to be onstage, we sited the fan unit in the pit. One of the pallets in the stage floor was removed, and replaced with a trap unit. This meant that although the fan was in the pit, the beanstalk could still appear on stage!

As the beanstalk was of fabric construction, we used a spot line attached to the top, to prevent it flapping around the stage on inflation and deflation. Although a line of hemp was used to go from the flyfloor, through the grid, fishing line was used wherever the line would be visible. This was felt to be strong, but also relatively invisible.

PHOTOS/DIAGRAM

Giant's foot

A slightly incongruous set element. This was not part of the original design, but only an idea. It was borrowed from the Lyceum in Edinburgh. Therefore, it was a very awkward set piece; one that didn't really fit the design of the show, or the size of the venue. It was used when The Giant was required to 'squash' Fleshcreep'.

In the latter part of the production process, it was discovered that all the foot was required to do be slid onto the stage, and then be removed a little while later. This took 3 crew members to operate. Whilst the foot was relatively light (being made of Arex), it's large size and the placement of the booms made this process a little awkward.

Portcullis

This was a relatively large set element, and one that was pivotal to the plot. It was required to open and shut relatively quickly, such as a normal Portcullis would operate.