However, there was one clear winner, Dan Hill from The Central School of Speech and Drama, whose design for Woyzeck at the Embassy Theatre showed how his research developed and influenced the final production. He clearly described ideas, concepts and influences and illustrated how they translated to the final outcome.
The judges - ALD members David Howe, Anna Watson, Natasha Chivers, Phil Gladwell, Tony Simpson, Mark White, who was also representing ETC, and Jack, who is the student representative on the ALD executive - said: "Dan has an incredibly strong and bold visual style - with very impressive images of exciting and well thought out concepts that had been effectively achieved. He showed a good understanding of the piece and the production, and was able to work effectively with the other members of the creative team." At the presentation on September 15, on the ALD stand at PLASA09, Dan received a cheque for £500 and a copy of Michael Northen's biography, Northen Lights.The ALD (Association of Lighting Designers) not only organises the awards on behalf of the Michael Northen Bursary, but also awards £250 to one of two runners-up. Receiving the ALD cheque this year was David Alcorta, also from The Central School for Speech and Drama, for The Runners at the Shunt Vaults. Judges said David had shown a high level of understanding and sensitivity to the piece, as well as the surroundings in which it was performed (the venue is in a railway arch at London Bridge station). Showing a clear passion and determination, he realised that time constraints mean business and was able to work in the time frame available without compromising the design.
The second runner-up was Fridthjofur Thorsteinsson, also, coincidentally, from Central School, who received £250 from ETC for his lighting for Godfather Death at the New Wimbledon Studio. The judges said: "Understanding the importance of lighting in this production, and taking into account the constraints and restrictions in designing the piece, Fridthjofur used the resources available to him to their utter limits, which resulted in strong choices being made. Every element of the design was well justified and thought out, and had a clear purpose."
The Michael Northen Bursary is given for a project completed within the past academic year and, as a design bursary, the entries are judged purely on imaginative design and creativity in lighting. Michael set up the fund shortly before he died in 2001, and was delighted that his MBE, awarded that same year, was not just for his services to the theatre but also in recognition of his commitment to encouraging young people in the industry. The Fund is managed by The Mousetrap Foundation, an organisation committed to supporting young theatre practitioners.
(Jim Evans)
