HOW WOULD YOU DESIGN THE SET FOR SHADOW OF A GUNMAN AND WHAT EFFECTS WOULD YOU WISH TO CREATE?
by
tomtee27 (student)
AMDG Tomilola Onafowokan
HOW WOULD YOU DESIGN THE SET FOR ‘SHADOW OF A GUNMAN’ AND WHAT EFFECTS WOULD YOU WISH TO CREATE?
Set design is the creation of theatrical scenery which is unique to each play. ‘Shadow of a Gunman’ is a play set in the early 1920s during the period of the Irish resistance and I would like the set design of ‘Shadow of a Gunman’ to reflect the period which the play was set in. I would do this by using a proscenium arch type of stage in keeping with the original intentions of the playwright as the play was meant to be shown at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin during the early 1920s. I would also use the proscenium arch type of stage as it frames the action going on onstage and allows the audience to focus on the actions on stage as Shadows of a gunman is a play with a lot of offstage action that is retold by the actors. Focusing on the actual action is very important as the body movement, facial expression and the tone of voice of the actors is essential in understanding the play. I would also wish to create a naturalistic style surrounding the play is set within a period where the events could have actually happened as it is based on the happenings of that period that the play was set around. I would also like to do this as the play symbolises O’Casey’s efforts to bring the Irish down from their high horses and this would best be put across in a naturalistic style.
I would like to create the effect of a claustrophobic and cluttered environment which reflects the characters of the two men who reside within this room. I would also like the room to give of the effect of a poverty stricken environment due to the state of the murky cracked floor boards as well as the scarce furnishing. It should also show that the men living in this room would like to live better than they actually are due to the way they attempt at decorating their room with the cracked mirror, thin sheets, dead looking wild flowers as well as the supposed lace curtains and the statue of the sacred heart and the small worn out crucifix placed on top of the fireplace. The crucifix and statue of the sacred heart should also give of the religious beliefs of the occupants of the room as the period which the play is set in (1920s) is one which the Irish held their religion close to their heart as they felt it was a way for them to stand out as true Irish people. I would also like to create realism in terms of historical period which can be shown by the metal framed beds, broken down typewriter and the feather pen which should all reflect the period. I would also like to highlight the contrast between the two characters Davoren and Seamus in the way Davoren’s bed is well arranged with his pillow propped up properly and Seamus’ is scattered in the carefree way which he also carries himself.
