Constructing and Painting an Edward Gorey Theater Set, Part 1

 

Designing and Drawing for the Theatre by Lynn Pecktal (McGraw-Hill, 1995) is a textbook on the practical application of professional set design and construction, focusing on the New York theater scene. The book is an worthwhile read for anyone with an interest in how theatrical sets are conceived and executed. The book is also a time capsule of the time period and includes in depth interviews with several award winning stage designers.

The 1976 Broadway production of Dracula is featured with several double page spreads and additional spot illustrations showing the technical aspects involved in creating the sets for the production. Pecktal was scenery supervisor for the show. Unfortunately, Edward Gorey was not interviewed, but the photographs of the set being constructed offer a backstage view of the production. 

Viewing the information in this book got me ruminating on the process of transferring Mr. Gorey's scale drawings into functioning three dimensional theater sets. This began an informal search to collect stories from individuals who were directly involved in Gorey-designed stage productions. Forthcoming posts will explore how Edward Gorey's set designs were transferred from page to stage.

I would like to acknowledge fellow Gorey collector and enthusiast Todd Camp for bringing Designing and Drawing for the Theatre to my attention through one of his informative Instagram posts on Gorey ephemera.