Minimalism, Thrust Staging, and Symbolism
The Cooke adaptation was originally performed on a thrust stage with almost no set. Examiners do not want to see descriptions of realistic living rooms with sofas and wallpaper. You must design abstract, multi-purpose items (like scaffolding or wooden crates) that the ensemble can move to create different environments.
Focus on a Thrust Stage. Use bare brick walls, exposed metal scaffolding, and wooden crates that can act as a school desk in one scene and a prison bed in the next.
Do not hide the lanterns; keep the lighting rig exposed to remind the audience they are in a theatre (Brechtian). Use harsh white washes for the Cross environments, and cold blue side-lighting for the Nought areas.
Use base layers. All ensemble members wear neutral greys or blacks. They multi-role by adding a single symbolic garment in front of the audience (e.g., a bright red blazer for a Cross, a faded cap for a Nought).
Use live sound where possible. Have the ensemble create the aggressive noise of the Heathcroft protests using stomping feet and rhythmic clapping to amplify the physical theatre style.