Stage Design and costume design

Set Design

Look Back in anger was set in the 1950's. For our set design we will need to ensure that the set is within the right context that the play is set in to make it seem real and believable.

In the 1950's, technology was very limited, televisions were very new and the radio was people's source of entertainment. Furniture in the 1950's included an old fashioned stove, outdated fabric patterns as well as clashing prints.

Below is a basic set layout of how I would have the stage set up if I was to produce this play in the theatre with a real budget.

Props

The props I would use for this production would be:

• Iron
• Ironing board
• Teapot
• Pipe
• Ashtray
• Cup and saucer
• Cutlery
• Couch cushions
• Vase with flowers on the coffee table
• Table cloth

Due to the location being in college and not having a budget to buy real furniture and all the props needed. I would just use key props that are needed for the scene I am doing such as a teapot, pipe, newspapers and a cup and saucer.

As I would not be able to use real furniture for the scene. I would use stage blocks and fold-away chairs to represent the main items of furniture in this scene.

Costume

Helena and Alison were both brought up at a strict boarding school were they were taught how to walk, talk and behave properly. Their costume in the 1950's would have been a skirt or dress below the knee with a blouse.I imagine that Helena would dress more like the two women on the right as she was considered to be a bit more free spirited and rebellious and Helena would dress more understated like the two women on the left. For my costume i would go to local charity shops to find a long patterned skirt and a blouse for Helena. I would not be able to wear jeans for this as Alison and Helena were brought up in a posh boarding school environment so are very unlikely to wear jeans. Jean were brought in by women in the late 1950's but were very 'hit and miss' and considered to be and outrageous wardrobe choice in that time period. I would also have a look for shoes with a small heel and skin coloured stockings

Hair

Women's hair in the 1950's was very neat and every curl in place. They usually had their hair tied back in a bun or very short curls with one pin curl at the front of the head. For my hair, i would try to achieve the style on the left as my hair is a lot longer than the first picture shown below. Also, Helena's character is considered to be a bit more free minded so i think that this look describes it best.