Kay Sayer - Theatre Designer
I remember reading Thomas Hardy’s ‘The Return of the Native’ for AS English literature at college. Nearly five years later, I picked up the novel again and was captured by the mystery of a collection of performers called ‘Mummers’. This group of travelling performers had links to the ‘Comedia Del Arte’. Though folklorists, its performers and its many followers believe that the plays come from an evolved pre-Christian male fertility ceremony, theorists today confirm that its beginnings where in fact found to be no earlier than the 1750’s. The group infect derive from the performances of the ‘commedia’ shown in England earlier that century. This novel was the to be used in two projects undertaken during my three years at Wimbledon. Though the part of the mummers within this novel is relatively small. I dedicated myself into the learning of this traditional piece of English theatre. It was the finding of a story within a story that has been the starting point within the majorities of my designs.

During these three years I have been part of many collaborative pieces in and outside of the educational sphere. Working with designers, actors, and technicians. Photographers, directors and stylists have given me an insight into many areas that support the arts. As a designer I have found myself drawn to history and its societies. The sights specific pieces I have worked on or designed have taken into account the story of the building and its inhabitants. Each of these projects and jobs I have been on has helped me in my own work. Costume designing and interpreting, researching places history. Make-up and styling, set designing and dressing. Spotting locations and finding performers. The use of light and sound. Script writing, story boarding and collaborating. My work is bold and bright. I look for intriguing tales and pull out specific themes. I use every aspect of design I can and the outcome is rich and strong.

Specific Skills: Costume Designer, Costume interpreter, Makeup Artist, Stylist, Set Designer, Set Dresser, Location Spotter, Script writer, Researcher.