Video design for a Guildhall School of Music & Drama / Barbican production of Zinnie Harris’ award-winning epic drama about duty, determination, war and the human cost of survival.
In an attempt to return a lost child (played in this production by Phia Saban, Princess Helaena Targaryen of House of the Dragon) to her father, a woman finds herself travelling through time, continents and war zones.
In Caroline Byrne’s inventive production of Harris’ emotive play, video is used to portray the influence the Child has over events as she uses toys and a video camera to transport the nomadic group to worlds that she appears to construct out of what initially seems like harmless play. Video and lighting combine to transport the audience through time and space distinguishing the surreal and increasingly sinister story-space of the journey from that of its point of departure and eventual return.
Video design on this production required going beyond content, projection and system design. It also involved working with the cast in rehearsal to support them in the challenging task of functioning as both performers and cinematographers – speaking through the use of the video camera as an integral component of their character portrayal and storytelling.
Spending more time than usual in the kitchen, the rehearsal room, cooking this one up was a lot of fun. As too was collaborating with illusionist and lighting designer Jon Armstrong on devising magic that co-ordinated Jon’s coached slight of hand from Saban with projected animation.