Our Autumn 2024 Forgotten Orchard tour is now underway, and we’re thrilled to take you behind the scenes to explore the inspiration behind the production and introduce the talented team bringing it to life. In this blog series, we’re shining the spotlight on the incredible individuals making it all happen, this time with a special focus on Set Designer Clare Halleran.
What inspired the original design concept for The Forgotten Orchard set, and how did you approach bringing the vision to life on stage?
The design was based on the idea of a garden shed and the things inside it, a place a gardener would use to work, lots of baskets crates, wood structures and canvas. I wanted the set to help tell the story with the colours and textures used, lots of materials that you would find in a shed or a garden. I wanted to use natural fabrics and materials to construct the set, it’s very hard to bring an orchard or trees into the theatre but easier to give a sense of it through materials used.
What were some memorable challenges or rewarding moments during the set design process?
Learning about the origin of apples, the idea that they all come from one apple years ago and then learning about all the many different types of apples around the world. Getting a chance to look at the different colours and subtle changes between apples and working out which one was the best to tell our story.
How did you want audiences to feel as they engaged with the set? Was there a particular message or atmosphere you hoped to convey through the design?
Seeing the show in front of an audience for the first time is always really rewarding, you realise very quickly if the audience understand what they are looking at or not. I wanted them to feel like they were in the shed with the Grandad and Katy, learning as they were, in their environment.
And lastly, what’s your favourite type of apple and way to eat it? Do you have a favourite recipe that uses apples?
I’m a fan of a Pink Lady… I like the sweetness! I also like a really crispy topped apple crumble with cream…. Delicious.
