The Beaux' Stratagem

          

                          

          The National Theatre’s re-opening of The Beaux’ Stratagem was very abstractly designed production. This play was writing in 1707, after the restoration of the English monarch. This production’s design featured aspects of scenery. Aside from the acting and the director’s direction, I was dazzled by the set.

            The space was in a grand three-quartered thrust stage, except the apron of the stage was an ellipsis. This gave the illusion that the stage was a proscenium. The setting of the plot was early 18^th century England, a time after the renaissance and the parliamentarian era. The set itself was ordinated toward the audience almost on a 45-degree angle, as if it were an orthographic projection. As said before the set’s design was abstract, yet it kept the environment still in 18^th century England. There were interesting architectural allusions to M. C. Escher’s endless stairs. These stairs also led to three functioning floors. This was a massive set. Compared to the other plays seen, this production utilized the set to give explanation of setting. There were quite a few scene changes, especially not easy ones. The setting would go from a rustic inn to a posh estate.   There were so many changes the set went under and it never seemed to break the stream of consciousness. Along with ensemble characters many of the main role helped with a speedy and natural transition. The most fascinating feature about this set was its revolving paintings and hidden doors. In no more then 60 seconds. I lost count on how many changeable panels and doors it had. The lighting designer was just a much a pivotal player in these transitions. The designer was able to use shadows to hid doorways, panels, and paintings. The after the transitions the floor plan seemed to have changed at a glance. There was a moment during a transition I noticed a that in order to change the literal walls, cast member would slide hidden facades along the flats. This gave the set the opportunity have different wallpaper and crown molding.  This contributed to the effect of witnessing an entirely different environment. The scenic design was executed fantastically.

            So far all the productions shown at the National Theatre have featured radical and unique scenic design. In contrast to A Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, a very radical play in design and plot in its own right, The Beaux’ Stratagem was able to create a faux realistic environment. This was a very inventively designed production and I have been given inspiration for the next season I work as set builder.