Theatre Group Props - Goldilocks
While working towards my final year of A Levels, I became Head of Props at my local youth theatre club (The United Theatre Group), which puts on a show each year. This meant that I was responsible for all of the props in that year’s production – from show prep to set strike.
The show that year was a pantomime version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Firstly, I was given a script and from that I produced a breakdown of all the props and set dressing that would be needed for the show. I then identified what props the theatre group already had in storage from previous productions and determined whether anything could be used again or would need repairing or adapting. I also made a list of any props that would need to be bought or made. Following this, I accessed the workload and decided which props I could make and purchase myself and what proportion of it would be sensible to share with another member of the theatre group committee.
I handled petty cash, kept records of my expenses and attended regular committee meetings to keep the rest of the team up to date with my progress. Moreover, I was present at rehearsals in order to give the cast a chance to practice performing with the props and allow myself the opportunity to see if the props worked and were suitable for the performance. I was also responsible for all of the props during the performances; setting a new scene, clearing the stage during a change and ensuring that all of the cast members and stage crew had the props at the right time and returned them.
The stage production being a pantomime meant that some of the props that I made exhibited a caricature like element and were often larger or brighter than their real counterparts. Here is a sample of some of the props that I made for the show...
The brandy bottle is made from corrugated card, papier mâché and then acrylic paint. I based the dimensions on those of a real bottle. An alternative would have been to use a glass bottle full of strong apple juice, instead, due to the young cast, I chose to make this prop so there was no risk of it being knocked over during rehearsals or performances.
I used real rose petals to guide the size and shape of the faux petals. The use of cartridge paper meant that they could not only be painted but also curled easily and would fall in a way that resembles the real things as required for the scene.
The cigar is made from sculpted corrugated card, to which I applied papier mâché, followed by paint; it appears to be lit because the scene opened with the character already smoking. An actor cigar was not used due to the cast being under 18 and with the show being a pantomime, the audience has already been invited to suspend their disbelief.
To create the treasure map I combined the essential elements that were needed for the storyline with other details that could be found within the script as well as my own touches due to my insight into the narrative. I gathered a selection of images and examples of maps and treasure maps which related to the style, colour and details that I thought would be suitable for this prop. After establishing the treasure map content, I produced a number of sketches and drafts - trying out different layouts. This was followed by the testing of mediums and colours that I would use (tea to stain the cartridge paper, soft pastels to add some subtle colour and fineliners to resemble ink) before creating the final version.
I sculpted the sardine sandwiches from foam and then used acrylic paint as the finish. The oversized bread proves this prop to be a caricature of a sandwich; the approach is reflective of the comedic and pantomime elements of the production and also suited the comical character which the sandwiches were supposed to belong to.
The spell book is fashioned from a black ring binder and several sheets of cartridge paper that I cut to size and stained using tea. The graphics were created using Microsoft Publisher, while the decorative shapes were cut from coated card.
The rocks were created by the arrangement of card, newspaper, glue and tape to form structures that were of two suitable shapes and sizes. I applied acrylic paint, using a blend of shades to imply as much depth and density as possible – particularly emphasising the indents and crevices. I made the rocks fairly sturdy and substantial in size to allow for two characters to lean against them.
To make the porridge, I chose three bowls of different sizes as the story required and painted bubble wrap to imitate porridge. I produced a number of practice samples to ensure I could achieve the correct effect, texture, colour and shape. I moulded the bubble wrap into form and then cut a slit into it so that the spoon could easily and convincingly be removed and replaced. Real porridge was not used to reduce the hassle, health and safety of it needing to be made, used, stored and disposed of. Faux porridge also meant that a rehearsal could take place with the props at any time.
The sparkling dust was described as ‘tiny pieces of tin foil’, therefore I sliced aluminium foil into numerous little squares and rectangles. The way the prop was used meant that the majority of the pieces could easily be collected after the scene, however, an extra supply was made in case the bag needed to be replenished.
The pound coins were made using corrugated card, kitchen roll, metallic acrylic paint and permanent marker. For the fifty pence pieces, I covered corrugated card with aluminium foil and then used acrylic paint. These props are another example of caricature – the simplicity in the designs and the large scale.
The leaf was cut from corduroy fabric with simple stitching in embroidery floss added.
The menu was created using Microsoft Publisher; once printed it was laminated.
The one pound note was also designed on Microsoft Publisher; I made it bigger than normal sterling notes but still a size that fitted in the wallet that was to be used.
For the fresh air spray, I collated several examples of existing products and then sketched several bottle and label design ideas. An empty hairspray can was used and a simple design with clear text was required to ensure the audience quickly identified the prop.
The sign was mounted onto plywood and then fashioned onto a free standing pole. The joke within the narrative meant that it was double sided – showing two different messages.
The sack of porridge was made from coarse material, which I had written on with permanent marker, then filled with cotton stuffing and secured with rope.
