The Philosophy Shop
In collaboration with King’s College London
20 minute performance installation
A performance installation inspired by a set of miniature plays written by artist and philosopher Ali Hossaini, and directed by artist and composer Catherine Kontz. The piece has been curated by the King’s College Cultural Institute and Informatics Department and the video & digital design department of RADA’s Technical Theatre and Stage Management training.
Cast
Hannah Wilder Shopkeeper
Rosie Middleton: Mezzo-soprano
Clara Kanter: Mezzo-soprano
Creative and production team
Written and artworks by: Ali Hossaini
Music and direction by: Catherine Kontz
Video designer: Lucía Sánchez-Roldán.
Designer: Anna Cierpial
Lighting designer: Jacob Gowler
Sound designer: Henry Boothroyd
Production Manager and Assistant Director: Jake Steele
Technical Manager: Madeleine Collins
Wardrobe Supervisor and Scenic Artist: Ella Auckett
Stage Manager: Cassidy Davis
Prop Maker: Noah Bottrell
In the making
Jake Steele, current student on the FdA in Technical Theatre and Stage Management and production manager and assistant director on The Philosophy Shop, tells us more about the process so far:
"As part of this production we needed to record content for our projection walls. We turned the Gielgud Theatre into a film studio for two days, set up a green screen and set to work. Stage management, lighting, sound, technical management, video and the wardrobe departments all worked tirelessly to achieve difficult and creative shots that the team are now editing to prepare for projection."
Designing The Philosophy Shop
From model box to fit-up - the design for The Philosophy Shop is currently being realised in our workshops and Gielgud Theatre, ready for this unique performance installation to open on 13 March.
Designer and second year RADA student Anna Cierpial explains more:
"The main design idea behind The Philosophy Shop is to take the audience through a journey from a well-known, comfortable world of object to a more abstract world of pure thought. By working closely with the video and digital design department, the set and costume are now an integral part of telling the story in a creative and immersive way.
We didn’t want to turn it into a cinema screening, but propose something completely different from other RADA shows."
Where to find us
Gielgud Theatre
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Malet Street
London WC1E 6ED
+44 (0)20 7636 7076
Getting here
By tube
Goodge Street Station: Northern Line 2 minute walk
Euston Square: Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, Circle Lines
Tottenham Court Road: Central and Northern Lines
Russell Square: Piccadilly Line
By train
You can easily reach us by public transport links from London's major railway stations. The most accessible include Euston, King's Cross / St. Pancras and Waterloo