A Fine Blend

As designers joining together to imagine a perfect Sherlock world, the production class did very well. The theatrical touches of the smoke in the warehouse, the ever-present skyline of London, the red wallpaper in the Larrabee's and the Science props in Sherlock's flat were all a result of lots of thought and planning. The process of taking something from the page and putting it on the stage was fully realized with this class. Each and every student contributed to the overall look, sound and feel of this production. As the set design teacher, I am extremely proud of the hard-working students who kept their heads down and kept working. It didn't just get done- it got done well. Well done!

Cast and Crew photo

May 14, 2013

Sherlock Cast getting ready to go on Stage

Rehearsal Photos

The opening scene

In Sherlock's flat

Sherlock with Moriarty

Romance?

the makeup room

Lights, Set Painting and Costumes

As the opening night approaches, the various technical elements are falling into place. The set is almost entirely done, the costumes are more or less unified, the lights have been hung and focused, the music is chosen and the sound technician is in the building. Everyone knows their lines and seems to have a good handle on their character. Sunday afternoon, we will run the show with all the technical elements in place. Let the magic begin. All the hard work, all the planning, all the memory work, painting and designs are coming together. The Steampunk details add so much to Moriarty's Lair and the consistent colour palette is pleasing to the eye. We are poised to go with all hands on deck. The game is afoot!

Raffle prizes abound at Dewe's this Sunday

One of the fund-raising activities for the show is a raffle. The prizes are very exciting.....
A Sherlock theme basket, a date basket that includes movie tickets, lunch and a hair cut, and another manicure/ spa package. Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. Available at Dewe's this Sunday or at CSS. Please help us raise a few funds to cover expenses.

The poster

Newest To Do List

Newest Paint List

Add board definition to crates

Prime Moriarty’s desk front- to be painted blue grey

Finish Brick lines on 3 flats and inserts- differentiate bricks with washes of colour

Begin painting butternut brown on lower Larrabee flats (keep pencil marks visible)

Measure, mark and Stencil upper Larabee walls with pale peach colour (and red)

Curtains for Larrabee’s window

Paint safe details

Prime the doors both sides

Wash the risers scumbled black/grey

Begin putting board lines on huge crate

Add more golden wash to one Sherlock upper flat

Decide on stencil for upper Sherlock walls (stripes?)

Measure, mark and paint Sherlock

Texture Moriarty’s platform with taupe

Add details to Fireplace- stencil and other 3D details

Need sides on riders and stairs

add handles to crates- especially the two "chairs"

Prop List

set up Science Table

Moriarty’s Time table

Review Challian’s List

Costumes

Set up sewing machine in back of vocal room

Find remaining items for characters- shirts, ties, shoes, etc. go back through the prop room

Devising a Plan Journal

With the many set pieces that need to be moved around, the class will need to come up with a detailed plan  to keep order backstage. Our stage has large wings and a crossover behind the cyclorama that has lots of room for set storage. However, even with all that space, the sets are hugh and the organization is critical.
Each person needs to complete a set move/storage plan for Sherlock Holmes.

Putting on a Play

If you have never spent time putting together a play, you can only guess at the mountain of work. Although it requires a lot of effort, it is really interesting work if you like painting, choosing and mixing colour, sewing, making props, using your imagination, acting, moving furniture, reupholstering furniture, designing set pieces, drawing, and more. I haven't even mentioned the effort required to promote it. The program, the poster, the tickets and the display cabinet all need to be created. Last weekend, the students crafted a booth design for the local shopping mall and handed out bookmarks and sold raffle tickets. They will repeat this event again May 5th at a local grocery store. For a play like "Sherlock Holmes",

one also has to do research and then decide how much to keep and how much to alter. Should the costumes for the females have bustles? What year is it going to be set? Can we change the year and thereby eliminate the need for bustles?
In this upcoming production, all the slightly evil characters are wearing red or burgundy. However,
there is one red herring! ( is that a pun?) One character, who turns out to be mostly innocent, may end
up in a certain shade of rich deep red. It may confuse the audience, but she will look good standing next to Sherlock in his grey suit.
If these things seem fun, you should probably get involved in theatre. If you are scratching your head, just buy a ticket and enjoy the show.

Warehouse brick

A Little More Steampunk

Warehouses of Victorian London

Victorian Interior Design Style

The low-tech warehouse/factory of the Famous Glass Company- Tiffany

Notice the hanging lights and various ropes and wires hanging.

Larrabbee's Wallpaper Ideas

A stencil with a similar design could be used to make our wallpaper.

Moriarty's wall

A range of Grey, with subtle yellow tones

Steampunk Buttons

http://beyondvictoriana.com
Notice that Sherlock Holmes is among the nine designs listed here as essential Steampunk.

Lestrade Hair and Moustache?

Shapes of Women's Fashion Over the Years

There are Costumes and then there are COSTUMES

This costume is elementary school, my dear Watson!

Guardian News

Conan Doyle's home saved from redevelopment

House where Sherlock Holmes creator wrote 13 stories will remain a single building after high court ruling

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• James Meikle and agencies
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 30 May 2012 14.17 BST
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Undershaw in Haslemere, Surrey, where Arthur Conan Doyle lived for 10 years. Photograph: Kathryn Ferry/Victorian Society

Sherlock Holmes fans are celebrating the foiling of an attempt to convert the Victorian house of the great detective's creator into eight separate homes.

Undershaw is a Grade II listed building at Hindhead Crossing near Haslemere in Surrey. During the decade he lived there from 1897, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote 13 Holmes stories, including The Hound of the Baskervilles. The building was later turned into a hotel, and has lain empty and dilapidated since 2005.

In 2010, Waverley borough council decided to allow the owner, Fossway Ltd, to divide up the property. Campaigners trying to save the house as a single entity launched a judicial review, and have now won their case at the high court in London. Mr Justice Cranston said legal flaws meant that the council's decisions to grant planning permission and listed building consent must be quashed.

Lawyers representing John Gibson, a Conan Doyle scholar and co-founder of the Undershaw Preservation Trust, turned to one of Holmes's favourite words in lambasting the "elementary" errors of the council in its consideration of the plans.

Hailing victory in "a long and difficult battle" to save Undershaw, Gibson said: "This is a place which is steeped in history and should be treated with reverence. Conan Doyle's life and works are a fundamental part of British culture and arguably their stock has never been higher. We have been absolutely delighted to see enthusiasts from across the world get in touch and pledge their support to our efforts.

"We are very hopeful that this decision will signal a sea change in attitude towards this historic property and that it will lead to it being rightly preserved as a single building – hopefully as a museum or centre where future generations can be inspired by the many stories which have been created within its walls."

Other opponents of the scheme included the Victorian Society, local MP and culture secretary Jeremy Hunt, ex-chairman of the Arts Council Sir Christopher Frayling, Julian Barnes – who set his Booker Prize-nominated novel Arthur and George in Undershaw – writer Ian Rankin, broadcaster Stephen Fry, and Mark Gatiss, co-creator of BBC's Sherlock.

Andrew Lockley, head of public law at Irwin Mitchell, who represented Gibson, said: "The local authority failed to ensure that it received English Heritage's views on the plans before taking its decision, despite consultation with EH being a legal requirement due to the property's Grade II listed status.

"In addition, the council failed in its duty to reconsider the Fossway development plans following the submission of a second application on the property which would see it maintained as a single dwelling.

"The decision means it is now back to the drawing board in terms of the future of Undershaw, but, like John, we hope to see this property of huge cultural and historical significance preserved and treated in the manner it deserves."

The trust's website used Conan Doyle's words to galvanise its supporters for the fight: "The pressure of public opinion can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish" (a quote from The Copper Beeches) and "I shall be proud that we shall be acting together, Mr Holmes" (The Dancing Men).

Conan Doyle chose the location for Undershaw in accordance with the needs of his wife, Louise, who suffered from consumption. Before Louise's death in 1906, when he remarried and moved to Crowborough, the author entertained friends including Peter Pan author JM Barrie and Dracula creator Bram Stoker.

In a 1907 article, Stoker described Undershaw as having "all the elements of home" and said the view from the drawing room was one of "a never-ending sea of greenery" to the South Downs. Conan Doyle did not sell Undershaw until 1921 and, in 1977, it was listed as being of special architectural and historic interest because of its literary association.

Mr Justice Cranston said Fossway had clearly bought the property in 2004 for its development potential and its scheme for the house included a gazebo within the grounds, which would be open to the public and provide information about Conan Doyle.

The judge said lawyers for the council had made it clear that it wanted to preserve Undershaw and spent substantial sums to make it secure. But the the council had not adequately met statutory requirements to pay special regard to the preservation of heritage assets and planning policy.

Bryn Morgan, a councillor responsible for planning at Waverley council, said it had judged Fossway's application on its merit. "Sadly, the decision by the high court places the future of the building back in doubt once again. The poor condition of the building will now only get worse a result of this decision.

"We will now take some time to consider the judgment and will be talking to the site owners."

Smokey Colour Palette

Moriarty Colours