What’s it like designing and painting artwork for a production? To find out, we chatted to Christine Duggan and Hilary Kaye, two of Twyford Drama’s set artists on our upcoming pantomime Buttons' Dream...
First off, what does creating set artwork involve?
HILARY: Usually the script points towards the design of the artwork, a backdrop, curtains or flats, or possibly just a view behind a window. The artist needs to discuss with the director and stage manager to decide on a final design.
CHRISTINE: The set artists are given an initial brief, helping them to find out what is required from the play/pantomime, i.e. what the mood/style of the play is and where the artwork will fit in – is it comic, historical, moody, bright? All with the aim of literally ‘setting the scene’ for the actors and audience. The job of the artist is then to design and create a suitable piece of artwork to fit the brief.
So, at what stage do you usually get involved in a show?
CHRISTINE: Usually only once the play has been chosen and the director and stage manager have discussed what is needed and how to achieve it. I will then be asked for a particular scene/painting/backdrop curtain to be designed. I often ask lots of further questions, just to make sure that the scene matches the mood/dialogue etc. (e.g. An actor’s line of ‘Oh what a miserable day,’ with a backdrop in blazing sunshine wouldn’t be great!)
HILARY: The design is decided in good time for the work to be completed before the show goes up!!
And what do you enjoy most about being a set artist?
HILARY: It is always great to see the final result when the lights go on.
CHRISTINE: I like the variety of scenes that you may be asked to create any year. So perhaps a ‘city scene’ out of a window, or even a ‘beauty parlour’ for the Dame, or this year a fairy-tale cave for Abanazar (for Buttons' Dream)! I also love the sheer size of some of the paintings, particularly the pantomime backdrops which are the size of the stage wall i.e. 20ft x 12ft (6m x 3.7m). At no other time do I paint a picture so big! A3 is my normal maximum!! I also like to see the finished result, fully lit on stage, with the cast in full action and the art forming a background to the play or panto.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging about the role?
CHRISTINE: Oddly enough, it’s the same as my previous answer: the sheer size of the paintings can be quite a challenge! The empty canvas can be a bit daunting at first. Also the backdrops are so large that they need to be painted on the floor – which can be tricky for getting perspective right (not to mention needing strong knees and leg muscles!).
HILARY: The time it takes to cover a full backdrop in paint feels very long. One has to try to involve lots of helpers and hope that the result is shown for more than a minute or two!
What skills does painting set artwork require?
HILARY: Experience helps to understand what looks good when under the lights and what doesn’t.
CHRISTINE: It requires imagination initially to create the original picture and to imagine how it will help to create the scene and match the mood of the play. Also some drawing skills and the ability to scale up an A4-sized picture to a 20 x 12ft piece of canvas. However I also get lots of help from members in the group too, even those who reckon they have no painting skills, but can fill in ‘blocks of colour’ with me – ‘painting by numbers’. It is sometimes hard to see ‘the big picture’ at this early stage, but their help is much appreciated and makes my task much easier and quicker! They often enjoy the final result of their efforts more though, when they see the backdrop in place on stage, as it can look very different, which is fun.
And how did you both first get involved in Twyford Drama?
HILARY: I joined the drama group many years ago as the rest of the family were already involved and I didn’t want to be left out!
CHRISTINE: Over 30 years ago Nigel Aves (husband of long term member Val) was directing a panto. He asked my husband Michael if he would like a part. Michael said ‘Definitely NO!’ but that he knew someone who would… me! I got a part in the chorus and have been involved, one way or another, ever since!
Finally, what can audience members expect from the upcoming pantomime?
HILARY: Twyford Drama's pantomimes usually have a fun selection of scenes to transport the audience to distant lands and times!
CHRISTINE: The panto should be fun, silly, varied, action-packed, bright and colourful. Hopefully the artworks will form a backdrop to all that and give the audience the chance to use their imagination to escape to a ‘magic make-believe world’ for a couple of hours. Hopefully they will have great fun!
Come and see Christine and Hilary's incredible artwork onstage in our January 2025 pantomime, Buttons' Dream. Book your tickets now!
If you'd like to find out more about working on the set artwork for a Twyford Drama production, visit our Get Involved page and get in touch.