Stage set:  "House of Bernada Alba" (Garcia Lorca)
Green Room Club, West Walls Theatre, Carlisle.

The West Walls Theatre was set in a cellar within the structure of the old city walls.  There was no headroom above the stage.  Scenery was based on canvas flats 2240mm in height.  Set designs were dictated by the form of the stage and many productions used simple "boxes" with doors or entrances to suit the action.  Atmosphere and a sense of location was provided by the lighting with the properties and furnishings that dressed the stage.

In the auditorium raked seating was in place.  However, front of house lighting  and side lighting was placed lower than the optimum height, as can be seen from the shadows.

Mike Bailey was Stage Director with the group for three years from 1961 to 1964.  Productions during that period included The Rough and Ready Lot, Mother Courage, Women of Trachis, The Tempest, One More River and Rookery Nook.  At the time of this production, the group were offering a new show every six weeks in addition to a touring pantomime at Christmas.

©Mike Bailey

Link to Green Room Club of Carlisle