Directed  by Joseph Restubog

Perth based Semi-Pro company OperaBox's offering for 2017 is the French Composer Jules Massenet's most acclaimed opera Manon. Adapted from the 1730's  novella Manon Lascult by the Abbé Prévost, the story of a country girl who longs for luxury, we have chosen to 

 set our production during the height of the Roaring Twenties.

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With so many production going on in Perth using this same design inspiration, it was a wonderful challenge to ensure something unique. My design influences run the gamut of Russian Constructivism, Orientalism, Hollywood, Neo-Rococo, and the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs, as well as the great designers: Vionnet, Lanvin and Patou.

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Designing a show requiring six costume changes (and half of those quick-changes) for the leading lady alone was a massive challenge on on a tight budget: table cloths, thrifted fabric, curtains, hand dyed fabric, couch cushions and hand covered buttons all made it into the show. 

Check out the Anatomy of Design Features

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***- Limelight Magazine

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Set Designer: Laura Heffernan

Lighting Design: Beth Ewell

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Construction: Stephanie Cullingford, Samantha Quealy, Courtney Coulson

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Photo Credits: Laura Heffernan, Thomas Friberg, Grace Feltoe

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Special Thanks: Iona Presentation College; Suits Formal Wear; The Gilbert and Sullivan Society; Carey Baptist College; John Curtin School of the Arts.

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Gouache