"Othello" by William Shakespeare
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds and mid-scale touring - Director: Colin Blumenau - 1998
DESIGNER: FRED MELLER
A large perspex panel covered in black window film in front of very thin birchwood panels acted as a two-way mirror revealing a space in a different time. Venice was created using a shiny black floor piece; a dark wet void. The birch panels were backlit in varying intensities creating the arid heat of Cyprus;
a stone floor and tiny shafts of light through cracks gave us the times of the day. The actors removed clothing in this heat. The temptation scene was in a steam room. Costumes too paid homage to the early 1800's, while through positive design choices to use modern elements we added a contemporary feel.
For more information about the designer visit her personal web-site at: http://www.fmeller.freeserve.co.uk