Fashions of a by-gone era inspire designer

Carolyn Taylor-Smith (seated) with three of the Twelfth Night characters

For USQ Designer Carolyn Taylor-Smith, life is a blur of patterns, colours and textures at the moment.

With less than a week until the 2010 Shakespeare in the Park Festival opens, it’s all hands on deck in the USQ Wardrobe and Workshop as the finishing touches are put on the designs for Twelfth Night.

This year, Carolyn has been set many challenges in her brief as Set and Costume Designer.

'Unlike the plays we have done in the past, Twelfth Night is completely new to me, not having studied it at school or seen it performed,' said Carolyn.

'I needed time to immerse myself in the text and understand the story before I could even begin thinking about the ‘look’ of our production.

'Another real challenge has come with our new location – moving from the old upper-Queens Park location into Frog’s Hollow.

'The canopy of trees is gone, but in its place are a gorgeous backdrop of trees and a new level of intimacy created by the natural amphitheatre.'

Carolyn’s designs draw inspiration from the 1960’s era with densely textured and coloured costumes and an architecturally stylised set.

'I’ve incorporated a fusion of vivid colour, vintage prints and patterns, 60s silhouettes and styling, to create the costumes of this play which will take you back to an era that created and embraced change in spectacular fashion.

'The vibrant and layered costumes are set against a backdrop of 1960s architecture with its sparse, clean lines and minimal colour palette.

'The contrast of the textures and colours of the costumes set against the neutral tones and open spaces of the set will create an essence of a bygone era.'

Queens Park and Frog’s Hollow in particular have a special place in Carolyn’s life – not just as the backdrop for her stunning designs.

'It’s ironic really; I spend every morning exercising in and around Frog’s Hollow and now I’ll be back there day and night for the Shakespeare Festival!'

Twelfth Night will be performed in Queens Park on 4-7 and 11-13 March, with proceeds from the 11 March performance going towards RACQ CareFlight Rescue and the Bryan Flemming Family Trust.

Gates open from 6pm each night and audiences are encouraged to come along early and enjoy a twilight picnic dinner before the show – BYO or purchase from the on-site food and wine vendors.

Tickets are $33 adult, $26 concession, $20 student, $12 child and $77 family, with great discounts on offer for groups of ten or more – available through the Empire Theatre Box Office on 1300 655 299, on-line at www.empiretheatre.com.au or at the gate.

For more information about the Festival, visit this website. 

Contact Details:
Michelle Fox, USQ Artsworx, +61 7 4631 1114 or 0439 911 623