As the design process develops changes to initial designs are being made, originally for the memory scene I was going to use a large stained glassed window made out of glass bottles, unfortunately it just proved impractical due to size and weight.  This called for quick design change to six, individual memory boxes, which in turn has helped to further the audience’s insight into The Man’s past. Writing the memory scene also enabled me to have greater insight into what each box should consist of:

Old drinks bottles and tops (life of drinking)

Parts of an old bike (a continues cycle, life just goes round in a circle)

An old, dead orchid (even though orchids can come back to life, they also die but can be replaced)

A dog’s collar (A childhood trauma, which seems to have dictated The Man’s life)

One empty and one full wine glass with a candle (hope of romance)

(Image taken by Pearson, J. on Monday 22nd May 2017.

Rubbish Theatre, 2017)

These memories are relatable but also specific to The Man, they torment him. This continual torment has to come through in our performance so I implemented the use of lights within the boxes to signify key moments of torment and memory. One key moment is the heartbeat in the track played during the orchid scenes, suggesting that The Man, even when he is content with his orchid, still has a past that continues to torment him.

The original window frame has helped to create the final bit of set; it has now been split in half and reformed into the two pedestals for the tv monitors. This I felt was key as we want to keep the mistakes and process evident throughout the set design and show.

It now all seems like it has come together.

Here is a CAD aerial view of the full set:

(PICTURE OF SET, CAD)

(Front left hand corner CAD design for If an Orchid Was All You Had. Crawford, 2017)

References:

Rubbish Theatre. (2017) If an Orchid Was All You Had. [Performance] Jacob Kay (dir.) Lincoln: Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, 22nd May.

Crawford, J. (2017) If an Orchid Was All You Had.