Professional Theatre Set Cutting in 2023
Not all of the work we carry out is designed purely for practical purposes, with manufacturing or industrial needs in mind. Some of it is also creative, intended to decorate and made for the express purpose of impressing those who see it.
This was the case when we were called to work for the Palace Theatre’s Summer Youth Project, hosted at the Palace Theatre in Southend. Run every year since 2008, this project brings together children and young people between the ages of 9 and 19 who are passionate about the performing arts or keen to be crew members in the future. In these projects, they work on and bring live performances of well-known and beloved musicals to packed audiences. This all takes place over just two weeks of the summer holidays.
The project’s set and props designer, Kimberley Davey, contacted us to cut some of the pieces that would be used in their August 2023 production – School of Rock.
Our Aim
The aim of our work on this project was to provide lettering for some of the signage used on the backdrop. This was to hang above the stage, where it would be clearly visible to all members of the audience. As such, we needed to ensure that all pieces were even, easy to read (even from a distance), and would show up well under theatre lights.
The pieces ordered were also meant to represent real-world signage. This was something that needed to be kept fully in mind as well, because it meant the pieces should be colourful and have a sense of realism about them to make them believable as theatre scenery. They couldn’t look flat or dull, or else they’d risk being illegible and detract from the rest of the performance.
Challenges Faced
Pre-run work for the production, meaning anything from rehearsals to costume and set-making, only starts on the first day of the two weeks the Summer Youth Project has its theatre. By Day 11, the show has to be ready for curtain. For the rest of this time, the children will be performing two shows a day until the end of the week.
This was the case with the performance we helped on.
Naturally, it also resulted in all preparation having to be very fast-paced. Sets always need to be built quickly and they need to be built to last throughout the show’s run. However, they’re also subject to change as time goes on and certain elements are added or discarded from the set design. Again, this was something we needed to anticipate and prepare for.
How Our Work Assisted
We assisted with our high-speed and keenly accurate waterjet cutting machine, easily cutting out even the most precise and intricate parts of the lettering. The quick turnaround time we got from this is an expected part of our service, but it’s always useful for our customers. By having elements of the set design cut fast, the Summer Youth Project got back much-needed time that could instead be spent building the sets or working on other parts of the show.
In Conclusion
Our work offered the Palace Theatre Summer Youth Project the clear, stunning designs they needed for their backdrop. They also got them within a rapid lead and turnaround time, as everyone who works with us can expect.
It was with this kind of work completed that they were able to move forward in time to take School of Rock through its run. For three nights and three matinee performances, the work of WaterJet Cutters proudly filled the space behind the actors for all those present to see.
