In the Studio 19 Inside Outside

Watch this video of Bill Mitchell talking about the differences between designing and directing for outdoor and indoor spaces. Notice the way in which the company adapted Tristan and Yseult design for the Cottesloe Theatre (now the Dorfman, at the National Theatre) after their success performing the play outside. 

It might be tempting to sit down and design a set before trying out ideas as the performers start to put the story on its feet. However, for Kneehigh, the design process is integral from the beginning of rehearsals. As you rehearse, try out ideas and have items of set around you to play and experiment with. 

We would try not to rehearse indoors too much, because if you stay indoors, you start talking your ideas out rather than doing them. Try and make the work on your feet.

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As Sue Hill states, it’s important that you take an active approach to creating a piece of theatre rather than spending too much time chatting!

By taking your rehearsals to a different rehearsal space (either indoor or outdoors), you’ll quickly identify what items of the set are vital, which can be temporary and which ones need to be on stage for the entire performance. Ensure that the lighting design is also taken into consideration when designing the set. Does your set allow for puppetry? Where will the performers be when they’re not acting? Quite often, all of the Kneehigh performers would remain on stage for the entire performance and so you’ll need somewhere for them to be that doesn’t pull focus away from the action.