Not currently on display at the V&A

Set Design

1961
Artist/Maker

Although theatre designs are often considered works of art and are sought after by museums and private collectors, their artistic worth or decorative qualities are secondary to whether they 'work' on stage. The success of a set design cannot be judged until it is translated into three dimensions by the set painters or builders. Some designers build their own set models, others are realised by specialist model makers or set builders.
It is often difficult from a set drawing to see how the design will be realised. This design is for a ballet and so requires as much stage space as possible to allow for the movement and would have been executed as a two dimensional backcloth with side wings. It perfectly creates the mood for the 19th century romantic story of a poet who falls in love with a beautiful sleepwalker and who, in true Gothic tradition, is killed by a jealous rival.
Given by Dr Ray Ingram


Object details

Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Set design by Alix Stone for 'Night Shadow', Ballet Rambert, Sadler's Wells, London, 1961.
Physical description
Set design for a night scene with trees to left and right and, centre back, ruined gothic and rounded arches.
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Given by Dr Ray Ingram
Object history
Set design by Alix Stone for George Balanchine's ballet "Night Shadow", performed by Ballet Rambert at Sadler's Wells, July 18th 1961. The music, based on themes from the operas of Vincenzo Bellini, was composed by Vittorio Rieti. The cast included Lucette Aldous, Norman Morrice, and June Sandbrook. The ballet was revived several times by the company, including performances at Sadler's Wells in July 1964.

The ballet (also known as "La Sonnambula" in some versions), was originally performed by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in New York, 1946.
Production
Reason For Production: Commission
Associations
Literary references
  • Night Shadow
  • La Sonnambula
Summary
Although theatre designs are often considered works of art and are sought after by museums and private collectors, their artistic worth or decorative qualities are secondary to whether they 'work' on stage. The success of a set design cannot be judged until it is translated into three dimensions by the set painters or builders. Some designers build their own set models, others are realised by specialist model makers or set builders.
It is often difficult from a set drawing to see how the design will be realised. This design is for a ballet and so requires as much stage space as possible to allow for the movement and would have been executed as a two dimensional backcloth with side wings. It perfectly creates the mood for the 19th century romantic story of a poet who falls in love with a beautiful sleepwalker and who, in true Gothic tradition, is killed by a jealous rival.
Given by Dr Ray Ingram
Collection
Accession number
S.55-2004

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Record createdJanuary 13, 2005
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