Directed Tanya Mitford

For Stephen Sondheim's twisted Fairytale Muscial we wanted to give a poisonous beauty to the costumes, like Quality Street laced with strychnine. While the "trees are just wood" within these woods lurk lecherous wolves and vengeful giantesses, "charming" princes and witches who are right. 

 

One twist we gave, especially to the traditionally "child-friendly" 1st Act, was the Narrator: now a father storytelling to his critically ill child. The two acts were divided with colour palettes of 'spring' and 'autumn', respectively.

 

The costumes were inspired by the works of Victorian Fairytale illustrators such as Arthur Rackham and Kay Nielson. We were also inspired by modern couturiers such as Scherer Gonzalez, Alexis Mabille, Dior and Roberto Capucci.

 

Watercolour on Paper

 

Set Design: Sheridan Elphick

Lighting: Philip Paterson

 

http://aussietheatre.com.au/reviews/waapa-ventures-into-the-woods