The slight hum of a large audience.

The brush of the curtains across stage signals an actress to waltz

upon the stage. Lights slowly warm the stage as a sinister melody bellows from instruments below.

Theatre has been around for quite some time. It portrays not only a story but an emotional journey of a

character. But what can be done to make a performance more realistic for the audience? While the

inner workings of a character can be implied by the music, it is the sets of a theatrical performance

that truly help to immerse the audience in the performance.

The Scene I have chosen to design a set for is Armide, “Enfin, il est en ma pouissance.” The

technologies I would like to use are Flats and Wings. I would also use a two point perspective to help

draw focus to Renaud lying helpless on the ground as well as Armide approaching him. The scene

would depict a dark and lifeless battle field with a few trees rolling in to border upstage to draw focus

to the scene occurring down-stage.

I would like to create a very sinister and mystical atmosphere at the beginning. Portraying Armide’s

evil intentions and anger as she intends to murder Renaud and seek her revenge. But also as if there is

a light at the end of the tunnel. The lighting would be kept dim as Armide approaches Renaud to help

give almost a haze over the stage to help invoke the idea of Armides sorcery. As she sings the line “I

shall pierce his invincible heart.” The lighting will become harshly bright to enhance the intensity of

the music and Armides' anger. When she begins to sing the line “What trouble seizes me?” The lights

will slowly dim but brighter than the beginning of the scene. The trees also will pull closer together

towards the middle of the stage demonstrating Armides emotional shift and inner conflict as she

comes to terms with her feelings towards Renaud. This set will stay this way until she sings the line

“I sigh.” When this happens the trees will then be pulled off the stage signifying the softening of

Armides character as she admires and observes Renaud in his slumbering state. As she sings of

casting a spell for Renaud to fall in love with her, flats and wings that are covered in a blue pleated

fabric to represent mist will roll upon the stage. As well as dimming of the lights as the music softens.

And as this scene nears its end with Armides becoming conscious of the decision she has just made

the set will return to that of the very beginning aiding in the visualisation of this journey.
The advantages of using flats and wings is the ability to be able to easily switch out sets as a scene

plays out. Due to this, it allows more artistic choices for the director as a scene rolls out. Verses if I

was to use more 3D props that are stationary. I would be forced to only play with what was already

sitting on stage at the beginning of the scene. It would also pose the problem of taking more time to

switch sets as the play develops. It would also be harder to create a two point perspective as the set

pieces cannot move, hindering my ability to shift focus, and perspective of the set as the characters

move about the stage.