Stage One built several different sets for the show, which was specially written for the theatre. The complicated set designs had a massive visual impact and Stage One faced the challenge of capturing the designer's 'magic' whilst creating the sets: a recycling yard; the magic tree itself; a circus and a complete proscenium and floor. Simon Wood, added, "We enjoy getting involved in theatrical productions - especially a show like this as it really gets our team in the festive spirit."
The set for the recycling yard, where the shows central family live, has proved to be a feast for the eyes as it truly draws in the audience. It consists of six tracking wing pieces and a 'garden shed', with a medley of junk items applied to them (including corrugated iron, window frames and hub caps) and scenically painted. A ground row panel of wooden fencing was also built for these scenes.
In the show a clown gives the family a pot plant and out of this the magic tree grows overnight. Stage One made the realistic looking tree out of plywood formers, chicken wire and expanded foam, which was also then scenically painted, with flown foliage.
The characters go through a hole in the tree and find themselves at a circus and so the set Stage One built for these scenes needed to capture both the visual nature of the circus and its incredible vivacity. The Company constructed six further tracking wing flats; the circus tentfrontage, a separate roof and interior. The interior was made of scenically painted cut cloths and had the additions of rope ladders and bunting. Several steel circus benches, which were part ply clad and also scenically painted were finally built.
The Magic Tree runs at the LBT in Queen Street, Huddersfield until Saturday 14 January 2006 and tickets can be purchased by calling: 01484 430528.
(Lee Baldock)
