How we created Sherman Theatre's 2020 production imagery
Introduction
In 2019 we saw the arrival of a new artistic director at the helm of Sherman Theatre’s creative output, Joe Murphy, and with it, a new season of productions, visiting companies and events at Sherman. One of the challenges we always love is the creation of show and advertising imagery - but the one problem that is always the same (especially for the performing arts) is that, either:
The script hasn’t been complete
If the script is complete, then more often than not, the cast hasn’t been selected
Absolutely nothing exists in regards to show collateral
This proves a very creative problem to solve.
To kick off the season in style, Joe wanted a suite of images that reflected the vibe and the Cardiff / South Wales-centric approach that Sherman productions are so good at delivering.
As always, we started with sketches and concepts that we worked with Sherman to develop. Upon sign-off, this is where the leg-work begins…. it’s production and shoot time!
Finding the location shots
For this shoot, shooting the ‘humans’ was relatively straight forward - a studio setup with high contrast lighting was preferred - but our concept was to intercept each ‘portrait’ with a location representative of the final show - from Merthyr to Bridgend, from Splott to Cardiff’s Victorian arcades.
In between a busy schedule of shooting our models, we set about planning a location-shooting road trip where we’d explore and find locations for each of our characters to be matched with.
In no particular order, our Google map included:
Cardiff arcades
Bridgend Shopping centre
Splott x 2
Merthyr Tydfil viaduct
Bwlch mountain*
Chippy lane/Caroline Street (Cardiff)
Castell Coch (stock imagery purchased)
*After finding the perfect shooting location on Bwlch Mountain, we revisited the location with Nia Roberts after she was cast for the role to create a continuation image and the main advertising image for the production of An Enemy of the People.
Putting the shots together
An intricate shooting calendar and schedule meant we were able to have a good idea of what would go where - but as always with creative processes, it’s never until you’re acting as editor that you realise some shots ‘just work better than others’.
Enemy of the People - 30 April - 16 May 2020
FACTS ARE FACTS. AREN'T THEY?
The water is poisoned. That’s a fact. But in a world where emotion trumps reason, facts are no longer facts. Brilliant scientist Dr Rhiannon Powell will make sure that the truth is heard however. She will protect the people of her Valleys hometown even if they see her as the enemy. She will speak the truth even if it costs her everything.
Inspired by Ibsen’s classic, Brad Birch’s An Enemy of the People is a gripping drama for the post-truth era.
Romeo & Julie - 16 Sept - 3 Oct 2020
RAISED ONLY STREETS APART, THEY LIVE IN DIFFERENT WORLDS
Two working-class eighteen year-olds raised a few streets apart, but from entirely different worlds, crash into first love and are knocked off their feet. But at this crossroads to the rest of their lives, both families fear the worst in a world of unequal opportunity.
Romeo and Julie reunites the Olivier award-winning partnership of Sherman Theatre Associate Artist Gary Owen and former Sherman Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan responsible for the modern classics Iphigenia in Splott, Killology and The Cherry Orchard.
A Christmas Carol - Fri 27 Nov 2020 - Sat 2 Jan 2021
MIRACLE ON ST MARY STREET
Cardiff, 1843. Money is all Scrooge has. She has lots of it. It’s all she has ever had but it’s never made her happy. But on Christmas Eve she will meet three ghosts who will teach her the most important lesson of all. By Christmas morning she will have learned how to live for the first time.
Experience the full joy of Christmas with this spectacular new production of Gary Owen’s adaptation of Dickens’ uplifting story performed by an exceptional cast of actor musicians.
The Merthyr Stigmatist - Fri 02 Oct 2020 - Sat 17 Oct 2020
FAITH AND REASON COLLIDE IN A MERTHYR CLASSROOM
Is something incredible happening in Merthyr, something which defies logic? Carys, a sixteen year-old school pupil, claims to have received the stigmata: Christ’s wounds from the Cross. Are her wounds a sign from God? Sian, Carys’s teacher is not so sure and questions what she sees. What is happening to Carys and why? Why shouldn’t Merthyr be worthy of God’s attention?
Lisa Parry’s riveting and poignant drama tackles theology, doubt and life in the Valleys in 2020.
Tlwyth - Tues 10 - Fri 13 Mar 2020
A MAJOR NEW PLAY BY DAF JAMES
Aneurin has been running away from his past, but – thanks to Grindr – he unexpectedly finds love. When he and Dan decide to adopt, it seems their world is complete. But as he adjusts to being a dad and tries to move on from his reckless past, Aneurin is forced to confront his demons.
Ten years on the characters from the trail-blazing and award-winning Llwyth are back in a compelling new play by Daf James. Taking an irreverent look at love, family and friendship, Tylwyth is a provocative commentary on contemporary Welsh life.
Ripples - RWCMD 17 - 19 Mar 2020 / The Gate, London 31 Mar - 3 Apr 2020
SOMETIMES THERE ARE NO SAFE SPACES
In a group rehab centre in Bridgend, eight people are forced together to confront, relive and replay the traumas of their past. Sharing nothing in common but the addictions they are battling to overcome. How can they fix each other - when the world is broken?
Tracy Harris’s intense play compassionately explores what leads us to seek help
The Elves and the Shoemaker - 6 & 7 Nov 2020 (Previews) / 30 Nov 2020 - 2 Jan 2021
SUPER-DUPER SHOES DON’T MAKE THEMSELVES YOU KNOW!
Clara the shoemaker is hungry and cold. No one wants to buy her shoes. One morning to her surprise she finds someone has mysteriously made a pair of the snazziest footwear overnight. Shoes that will sell like hot cakes. Clara’s luck is about to change. Who does she need to thank for this wonderful turn of events?
Katherine Chandler’s The Elves and the Shoemaker is the perfect way to introduce little ones to the magic of theatre.
Clara the shoemaker is hungry and cold. No one wants to buy her shoes. One morning to her surprise she finds someone has mysteriously made a pair of the snazziest footwear overnight. Shoes that will sell like hot cakes. Clara’s luck is about to change. Who does she need to thank for this wonderful turn of events?
Katherine Chandler’s The Elves and the Shoemaker is the perfect way to introduce little ones to the magic of theatre
Outputs
The images were then used extensively, from images on the upcoming season (online and in print) - through to large format posters for the season launch night. As we’ve learned in our journey with Sherman Theatre and other performing arts venues, images really do incite an unprecedented amount of interest in a show or production and should never be overlooked. The fact that we created a suite of crafted Cardiff and South Wales imagery really lends itself to Sherman’s ethos of creating contemporary, powerful theatrical stories for the people of Cardiff and beyond.
