Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
by John Bishop
Directed by Kathryn Gray
Scenic Design by William Temple Davis
Costumes Designed by Laura Love
Lighting Design by William Temple Davis
Department of Theatre
University of Denver
May 1994
Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 was produced on the University of
Denver Theatre Department’s proscenium stage. For this production audience
risers were built on stage. They were arranged to produce a 20' by 20' corner
stage.
The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 set consisted of flat painted
scenery. The small amount of three-dimensionality was to conceal those secret
doors or panels necessitated by the script.
The lighting was based on 9 basic lighting areas. Each area was lit 5 instruments.
Three of the lights were placed at a vertical angle of 40 degrees. They
were spread approximately 100 degrees apart. (Deep Straw R15, Light Lavender
R52, and Deep Straw R15). One of the sides with Deep Straw was double hung
with another instrument gelled in Light Lavender R52. The fifth light was
a high angle back light in Medium Blue Green R95.
Ground plan showing part of the seating risers. All four secret entrances
are shown.
A sliding panel, a secret way out of the closet, a small secret door, and
a pivoting panel.
Opening of the play
The Full Set
Note that even the rug on the floor is painted, it includes painted blood
stains.
Painted wood work, shelves and books. It is possible to see how the flat
in the center of the picture is actually not connected to the flats on either
side. This wall is a pivoting panel.
Another view of of the predominately painted set.
Detail of the painted scenery on the upstage wall.
Close-up view of painted shelves and books.
by John Bishop
Directed by Kathryn Gray
Scenic Design by William Temple Davis
Costumes Designed by Laura Love
Lighting Design by William Temple Davis
Department of Theatre
University of Denver
May 1994
Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 was produced on the University of Denver Theatre Department’s proscenium stage. For this production audience risers were built on stage. They were arranged to produce a 20' by 20' corner stage.
The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 set consisted of flat painted scenery. The small amount of three-dimensionality was to conceal those secret doors or panels necessitated by the script.
The lighting was based on 9 basic lighting areas. Each area was lit 5 instruments. Three of the lights were placed at a vertical angle of 40 degrees. They were spread approximately 100 degrees apart. (Deep Straw R15, Light Lavender R52, and Deep Straw R15). One of the sides with Deep Straw was double hung with another instrument gelled in Light Lavender R52. The fifth light was a high angle back light in Medium Blue Green R95.
Ground plan showing part of the seating risers. All four secret entrances are shown.
A sliding panel, a secret way out of the closet, a small secret door, and a pivoting panel.
Opening of the play
The Full Set
Note that even the rug on the floor is painted, it includes painted blood stains.
Painted wood work, shelves and books. It is possible to see how the flat in the center of the picture is actually not connected to the flats on either side. This wall is a pivoting panel.
Another view of of the predominately painted set.
Detail of the painted scenery on the upstage wall.
Close-up view of painted shelves and books.
