Designing the Void: Abstraction and Institutions
A common mistake students make is designing a realistic 1970s living room for the domestic scenes, and a realistic hospital ward for the doctor scenes. Olwen Wymark specifically intended for the play to be performed on a bare stage. Top band answers focus on the materials and textures of the floor, and how minimalism creates a cold, unfeeling atmosphere.
To honor the play's Fringe theatre origins, design a completely bare stage covered in a black, matte Marley dance floor. The only set pieces are five wooden, black-painted chairs. This intense minimalism removes all comfort and distraction, forcing the audience to focus entirely on the actors' bodies and the psychological trauma of Verity's journey.
Use these pre-structured sentences in your exam to instantly hit the top marking bands for set design justification.
| Design Element (What) | Impact Justification (Why) | Key Terminology |
|---|---|---|
| A completely bare stage covered in sterile, highly polished white linoleum flooring. | It visually reflects the cold, unfeeling, and clinical nature of the 1970s care institutions. The shiny surface will bounce the harsh lighting back onto the actors, ensuring Verity has nowhere to hide. | Texture (Linoleum) Clinical Minimalism Institutional |