OFF THE MAP

Lewisham Youth Theatre is a performing arts organisation with the core belief that “artistic excellence is key to expanding young people’s horizons and creating lasting transformation”. From as early as the age of 3 all the way up to 25, young people from all over Lewisham come together in theatrical workshops and activities. As well as providing workshops, LYT offers them a chance to perform a one-night show supported by a production team of stage and costume designers. Lead by an established theatre designer, the production team are usually a group of volunteers, at the early stage of their career, looking to gain professional and creative theatrical experience. I had the pleasure of working on ‘Off the Map’ as a design assistant to lead designer Jacqueline Gunn among a small team of volunteers. The production is a collection of short extracts revolving around the theme of ambition and the passage of time from different authors. The location of a school is what ultimately connects all the scenes together. After talking with the actors about their home, community and experiences in Lewisham, Gunn developed the underlying theme of maps. This project began in January with a series of production meetings, open to volunteers to help us gain a better understanding of the creative development process. Since this was a small production of one show, two weeks were allocated to make the set, props and hold tech/dress rehearsals before opening night. Initially, my role in this project was as a design assistants and support the making the set and props for the production. Finishing on schedule with making the set, the last few days were spent in rehearsals with everyone - the directors, actors, technical team and costume department. My role evolved to become a dresser and a crew member during get out. I worked in the costume department adding on last minute details, fixing trousers and leading the actor’s quick changes. Once the show came to a close, we were on a tight schedule to get everything out the venue and upstairs into the LYT space.

THE BROADWAY THEATRE

The Broadway Theatre is a 1930’s Art Deco building at the heart of Catford, Lewisham and home to Lewisham Youth Theatre. Many of their productions are hosted in the Studio Theatre, an intimate space of 80 seats. But with intimate theatre spaces, come restricts that affect the production design of a show. The tight sight lines meant that much of the show had to happen right in the centre of the stage - any detail on the side could get lost. Being a grade 2 II listed building, meant that nothing can be attached onto the interior wall that could cause permeant damage/change.

PHASE 1

Myself and the other design assistants began transforming the venue by painting the carpet white and drawing freehand a map to symbolise Lewisham. Inspired by the main extract in the production about a boy who believes he is a superhero, the style of the map was similar to a comic book’s.

PROPS

The budget was small for this production so it was great to find shortcuts to making props. The computer screens were made from recycled polystyrene packing later scrimmed and painted. Meanwhile, the blocks were reused from previous LYT productions.

PHASE 2

To bring this comic book world to life, we added colour onto the map based on LYT’s branding. The colours helped to ground and localise the map to resemble the local area.

REHEARSALS

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