Scenic Design in Children’s Theatre: Appropriating Colours for Philip Ridley’s Play, Feathers.

ABSTRACT

The desire to explore children’s colour experiences for their scenic interactions informed this research. In view of this, the study explored colours from the perspective of children by using the medium of appropriation to design a set to complement their theatre experiences. With review of literature, the study discussed the approaches to children’s theatre through the eyes of Schonmann. Weincek’s guide to scenic design for children was used to examine the nature of their set designs and colour experiences. The approaches to the concept of appropriation were also discussed which helped to place the research within a particular context. Framed by the experiential value of artistic methodology, the representational art concept was employed in creating familiar designs that fall within the children’s schema. Subsequently, focus group discussion was employed to seek the colour preferences of fifty children between the age brackets of eight and thirteen years. Their colour choices fell within the polychromatic colour scheme and this was utilised to complement the creation of a set design towards children’s total theatre experience. The formalistic approach was also used to describe the elements incorporated in the design with which colours were significantly interpreted. Analysis of the responses from the audiences (children) helped to achieve the purpose of the study. The findings of the research were made available with recommendations for enhancing such practice. In effect, children’s colour preferences help to convey their own ideas, emotions, and also enhance communication. They can also make children owners of a theatre presentation which aids them to interpret, interact, and question experiences on their own terms.