My design interpretation of lighting and sets for The Tempest would draw on elements of mystery, ritual, and harmony with nature. I envision lighting that enhances the performance and suggests Prospero's magic. The setting for the masque scene could be in an Arcadian style using natural materials and symmetry to portray utopian ideals of perfection. This style opens spaces to brightly lit scenes using natural light.

1. Visual Influences
The Tempest – My design
interpretation
CHLOE NIBLETT

2.  I thought about how lighting would
effect the performance or enhance the
performance
 A masque has elaborate designs for
sets and costume and this may help
portrait that.
 The red tone suggests something dark
and mysterious like Prospero’s magic
Lighting Sculptures
Brand Van Egmond
2009 Uitgeverij Terra Lannoo B.V.
pg131

3.  This illusion of a floating woman
draws parallels to Prospero and his
magic on the island.
 The symmetry of this image
suggests some elements of a ritual
especially the use of candles.
 The pose she is in is very suggestive
and paired with the outfit could be
seen as seductive.
Lighting Sculptures
Brand Van Egmond
2009 Uitgeverij Terra Lannoo B.V.
pg143

4.  I thought of setting the
place of the masque or
even the set of the
masque in an Arcadian
style.
 This style uses only
natural materials such as
wood and rocks to build a
habitable environment.
Arcadian Architecture 12 houses
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
2004 Thames and Hudson Ltd.
pg394

5.  They base the style to
utopian ideals where
everything is perfect and in
harmony with nature.
 They open up large spaces
for windows, so rooms are
brightly lit by natural light
coming in.
 This style to is very
symmetrical in its design
adding to the feeling of
harmony.
Arcadian Architecture 12 houses
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
2004 Thames and Hudson Ltd.
pg191

6.  The houses are often the
same shape and
symmetrical in design.
 In this picture you can
see the land the house is
on is perfectly pruned
and looked after as it is
controlled, however it is
surrounded by
uncontrolled nature this
shows an area of perfect
land like Prospero’s
island.
Arcadian Architecture 12 houses
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
2004 Thames and Hudson Ltd.
Pg286

7. An example of an Arcadian garden that
has been looked after every day to
show how perfect it is and to resemble
utopian ideals.
http://www.littlesparta.org.uk/works.htm

8.  18th century masque,
can see how the hall is
done up perfectly for the
royals and their
celebration.
 All the women wore big
extravagant dresses to
show wealth.
 The lights in the hall also
seem to be set out in a
symmetrical pattern.
http://isiswardrobe.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/18t
h-century-masquerade.html

9.  Masques may also involve a sit down meal to begin
with while music is played.
 This would be for the king and those of highest
ranks.
 Most Masque performances would take part in the
royal courts of the one hosting the event or
celebration.
http://www.philharmonia.org/a-masque-lets-ask/

10.  The women Masquers would dress in
elaborate costumes to match the character
they are performing.
 They wore bright colours and different types
off materials as money wasn’t a problem for
the court masques.
http://www.elizabethancostume.net/masque/index.html

11.  A modern day version of
the masque has been
transformed into a
masquerade ball which to
is a celebration but not
necessarily involves a
performance.
 The set is symmetrical
once again I think I would
use this idea in my design
as it would also reflect the
utopian ideals in Arcadian
styles.
 The bright rich colours also
run through out originally
to show the wealth of the
courtiers.
http://www.willc.me/?p=1987