The Designer

FAS 110 Living the Theatre

Module 5 Discussion

The Designer

The designer (whether lighting, costume or sound) creates an environment for the stage and an experience for the audience. Whether the concept be representational (true to real life) or presentational (an abstract, distorted reality) the design has to be functional and accessible not only for the actors, but also for the stage crew and audience.

When I think of extravagant stage designs, I immediately think of Carl Fillion’s multi-million dollar machine used in the staging of Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

Please watch the trailer on Youtube: Das Rheingold Trailer from Cineworld Cinemas. It is 2 minutes and 25 seconds in length and then respond to the following:

Director Robert Lepage and Set designer Carl Fillion utilized a 45 ton machine that included vertical platforms, (a palisade of two dozen fiberglass covered aluminum planes) that tilted vertically and horizontally to create and form various stage configurations.

This huge structure of large moving planks moved back and forth creating the surface of the Rhine River in Germany. it also was used as a screen for video projections, it had motifs and was interactive, triggered by the movements of the performers. The performers were catapulted above it, they climbed on top of it, slid down it. Sometimes the platforms became horizontal, other times vertical depending upon the action on stage. At the opening of the opera, The Rhine Maidens (three mermaids) dangled from cables and sung full operatic scores while maneuvering and balancing themselves above and onto the moving planks of the Valhalla Machine as it was ultimately dubbed. The Rhine waters (large planks) swayed to and fro creating the movement of water, turned to gold coins, produced bubbles as the mermaids swam beneath the surface, and became a platform where the Rhine Maidens could perch themselves on and slide down from. This all occurs just in the opening scene! Later during the opera, the Machine turns into a staircase to get the actors from one location to another. It also turns into a rainbow bridge, an entry way into Valhalla (Heaven), that the performers are able to walk upon and enter into (at the close of the opera). You will see this scene at the end of the trailer. The Machine was malleable and versatile and did many more configurations during the course of the opera (too many too list).

There was a problem however, the production was delayed because of technical difficulties with the machine. Also, several productions received mixed reviews because the machine broke down in the middle of the performance, yet the opera singers had to maintain their composure and the highest level of artistry despite the lifeless (yet integral machine). Which apparently they would manage to do DESPITE the problems with the machine (as noted by numerous critiques).

I saw the production and personally appreciated the complexity and beauty of this elaborate machine. I personally felt it added to the overall experience of the production. For me, it was a tremendous artistic endeavor and achievement. During the night I saw it, the machine behaved and did not break down. The Valhalla Machine (also dubbed the difficult diva) was given this title because it would perform and/or not perform at any given whim and/or time within and during a performance.

After you have viewed the trailer of Das Rheingold, featuring what is considered to be the MOST expensive and extravagant set design ever constructed for a contemporary stage, discuss whether you think this type of set design for entertainment, (theater, the opera, musicals, etc.) is worth it. Should a set design, (no matter how extravagant) be created at any cost, to fulfill the vision and concept of the director and/or designer?

I personally wish you could see the full production of Das Rheingold (the Metropolitan Opera’s version/with the Machine) but being that this is only an 8 week class, time is precious and limited. For now, please see the trailer and let me know what you think. However, if you enjoy the Das Rheingold trailer, I have included an additional trailer: The Wagner Ring Cycle, that shows highlights/footage from the entire operatic production that was shown at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The multi-million dollar stage was utilized during the course of the entire Wagner Cycle.

I have also included an interview with Robert Lapage, the director of Wagner’s Ring Cycle at the Met. The trailer is called: Wagner’s Dream the opening bars…In this video, you will see the orchestra, stage crew working backstage (actually beneath the stage) manipulating the large planks of the Machine.

For those interested in what happens backstage (behind the scene) with the set crew, I have included another video called: Wagner’s Dream Rolling Out the Machine. It gives you an idea about how large the Machine was and how difficult it was to install it within the actual theater/opera house.

The Machine was developed, designed and tested in Canada by set designer Carl Fillion and Robert Lapage (who was the director of Cirque du Soleil before coming to the Met) and transferred by several moving trucks into New York City where it was assembled by the Met’s stage crew.

The video: 2010 New Met Production of the Ring Cycle shows a condensed version of everything that went into designing this elaborate production from set to costumes, from drawings to actual creation.

I hope you enjoy all the videos of this production as much as I do! However, if you enjoy or want to learn more about the making of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, I recommend the documentary film: Wagner’s Dream; The Making of Der Ring Des Nibelungen, a must see for those who want to learn more about what goes on in the theater before a production even gets started.