Steve

The European premiere of Mark Gerrard’s Steve - an ode to the lives and loves of Broadway and Stephen Sondheim fans at Seven Dials Playhouse.

Mark Gerrard's Steve follows the highs and lows of getting older, navigating friendships and the thrill of being alive.

“Nice touch is a video design by Barbara Senoltova and Dick Straker, the cafe where Steven and Carrie meet really does feel like it os on a high street” - Caroline Worswick

The design concept for Steve originated from the famous Joe Allen Restaurant in NewYork which features archways and posters related to Broadway musicals.

We designed the video to work as layers within this set design and the set also allowed for audience to sit onstage at replica ‘Joe Allen’ tables. The five surrounding arches set up the projected background for each of the six locations and this featured the multiple layers beyond our set. For most scenes this also featured hand drawn animations that allowed for another layer of life in the design when required.

“Utilising digital screens to transport the audience into different locations – be it a Starbucks or a fancy restaurant – the level of detail is magnificent. Little touches such as projecting subtitles for brief Spanish speaking scenes onto the back walls, or digitally displaying text messages while characters are talking elevates this performance to an impressive all-encompassing West End show.” - The Reviews Hub

The posters were also used as another layer of projection between the arches and on each location they became another method of setting up our scenes. This device also became an interaction with the characters during the text messaging scenes where the posters became phone screens displaying the messaging.

Client:
Seven Dials Playhouse
M. Green Production

Location:
Seven Dials Playhouse

Services:
Video & Projection Design
Technical Consultancy
Content Creation
Equipment Hire

Team:
Video Designer & Illustrator: Barbora Šenoltová
Video Designer: Dick Straker
Technical Consultant: John O’Connell
Animator: Jachym Bouzek
Programmer: Ryan Cowley

Production Credits:
Director: Andrew Keates
Set and Costume Designer: Lee Newby
Lighting Designer: Neill Brinkworth
Sound Designer & Composer: Max Pappenheim
Musical Director: Ben Papworth

Photos:
© The Other Richard