Set Dresser, written by Hilary Howden

While the set builder is responsible for planning and building the set, it still has to be “dressed”, much as you would furnish and decorate a room when you move into a new house.

Hilary Howden had been helping with props at the Venture Theatre for quite some time but a few years ago, she took on the job of dressing a

whole set for the first time. This was our production of Rebecca. Hilary told us “I came up with the idea for the curved staircase and it was

marvellous because Mike (Mike Cox, set builder) translated what was in my mind to the stage. I also did things that perhaps weren’t normally done in this theatre such as writing on the wall. It seemed to turn out alright,” she added modestly and it certainly did. The set for Rebecca got its own round of applause when the curtain went up!

Hilary was asked to dress several sets and helped out with others. “I don’t have anything to do with layout of the set,” she says. “That’s the job of Mike and the producer and I don’t do painting but I like to design.”

Once the set was on the stage, Hilary got to work on furnishings, curtains, flowers, arrangements and lots of pots! She made some of the

curtains and made costumes. If it’s a period play, it’s important to know what sort of wall colourings would have been used

traditionally.

“I do sketch it out and I do look in a lot of books to make sure I’ve got the period right. When I did Arsenic and Old Lace I looked at various

books and the colours were done in New England colours, pale grey and that “washed out” look. “I just come up with various ideas,” she says.

“They don’t always take root but usually they do.”

Hilary supplied a lot of props and said she found car boot sales very useful but you have to get there early! “But I can’t do everything,” she added “So if anyone wants to help out they’re more than welcome.”

FOOTNOTE: Unfortunately Hilary sadly passed away in February 2020.

If you think helping with set dressing would be your cup of tea why not visit the theatre on a Monday night after 8.30pm and see if you would like to become a member? We always welcome new volunteers!