case study: Theatre Royal, Bath
With the successful growth of Wise, we were delighted to launch our Set & Scenery workshop in West London last year. Having been established for over six months, we thought it was time to share what our talented craftspeople have been up to, starting with a theatre set we were recently commissioned to create for Theatre Royal, Bath.
An arts veteran with an impressive portfolio of bespoke carpentry expertise, our Head of Set & Scenery, Tim Highman, was approached by Theatre Royal Bath to tender for the set build of their recent production, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Having received the initial brief and model box, Tim worked closely with the production manager to develop construction drawings that would eventually become the guiding light for our skilled carpentry team. These included the process and schedule of building, as well as what was required from each team member to complete the job to the expected standard.
In the words of Tim…
“The key to a smooth build is perfecting the construction drawings from the outset!”
Wise’s bespoke set & scenic projects are always collaborative, but the intricacies required for a theatre build meant spending a lot more time on the workshop floor as components were carved, filled, sanded and painted. For any build, it’s important to begin with the largest space. Having crafted an impressive split-level room, the team moved onto the suspended false ceiling and the panelled walling, quality checking at every stage of the process.
The continued correspondence between the production manager and our set & scenic creatives really highlighted the importance of the work in progress. Rehearsals were taking place in the theatre at the same time that wood was being filled in our workshop, so any notes that arose from the cast were filtered back for us to find an alternative solution. This was put into practice when the theatre’s production team decided to modify the size of the walkways, which gave us the opportunity to update the construction drawings and amend the theatre set design whilst building was taking place.
Sustainability and environmental impact are at the forefront of every decision we make as a company. We made sure to stay kind to the planet on this project by sourcing FSC approved timber and using red wood which can be planted quickly and grows at a faster rate. As a theatre set build, the project has a natural longevity, since resources are utilised for a stretched period of time. Similarly, there is always a hopeful possibility that the production will be further commissioned as a tour, meaning set, furniture, and props will travel with the show.
It was an exciting experience for Wise to work in a different dynamic, and Tim made sure the team were onsite to see the fruits of their labour at the end of the project. At Wise, we have always nurtured our company culture and taken pride in our teamwork, so it was an even bigger pleasure to receive compliments from the production manager that we are one of the tightest teams she has ever worked with!
After a Saturday installation, and rehearsals on Sunday-Tuesday, the show was ready to be premiered on Friday 13th January and had a successful run until the 11th February, with the majority of performances sold out.
from the client
“It's one thing to create a set that looks just like the model box, it’s quite another to construct a set that is built to be installed within millimetres of tolerance with minimal on-site work required, where the back of each piece is crafted with as much care as the front. For excellent all-in-one set builders, scenic painters and prop makers, look no further than Tim and his excellent new team, they'll be getting all our business from now on.”
With Wise Productions ever expanding, our Set & Scenic team have been branching out into some unique and exciting projects that will challenge and increase our skillset in the workshop. Watch this space…
Wise Set & Scenery Team