Reflection + Research - Hudson

I was lucky to watch the Lion King musical just in time for my TSP days, as I have never watched a theatre musical since I was 7. Since photography was not allowed, I sketched these during the intermission, and found photos for them after the show. I was so captivated by the creative and theatrical choices of the set by Richard Hudson (Zimbabwe designer who studied at Wimbledon!) , for example these dancers with grass hats that rose above the ground (as part of the setting), or how the stage elevated into layers to portray distance (when Simba was ran over by migrating bulls).

In this stampede of bulls, they are on rollers behind the walls, gradually appearing from the back to the front. They move in a circular motion separately, while the front row are actors holding the heads. I love how he portrays scale with the impression of a stampede, with fake rolling mechanisms at the back and real actors at the front. Not only do the walls give perspective, but also obscure mechanisms behind the stage. This reminds me of how I work, since I tend to have mechanisms or structures behind my 3D pieces like my spatial design piece, and he gives me ideas on how to conceal them via layers, creating a more coherent presentation.

The sun in the middle of stage was made of perspex rods with torn silks, and strung together via invisible string. When it shakes, it shimmers from the light bouncing off it, but also in lines. I thought that was a very creative and simple concept to depict the African Sun, but also a smart way to use invisible string for its' opaque quality, while retaining structure.

I love how he structures his sets, and I am particularly inspired by his depiction of light and movement, which I hope to apply to my projects to make them more dynamic via simple mechanisms.

(Sources:

Richard Hudson Interviews: https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/richard-hudson-on-designing-the-sun-in-the-lion-king

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVssLs5RMKw)

Theatre, Stage & Performance

Confirm copying