Q&A with Erin C. Guan, designer of Romeo and Juliet

We’re thrilled to be bringing a brand-new adaptation of Romeo and Juliet to our Adventure Theatre this Spring. Learn all about the designs of the show from Set and Costume Designer, Erin C. Guan!

Can you talk us through your process for designing a new show?

I usually start from the script and the narrative, where I discover the main themes and points of focus and visual elements that can help enhance these themes. In the case of Romeo and Juliet by Beats & Elements, thanks to some very strong ideas coming out conversations with directors Conrad Murray and Lakeisha Lynch Stevens (and Shakespeare), I was able to pull inspirations from practically what happens in the play, as well as the themes around hip hop, internet culture, teens romance and South London.

I will then find a good way to create a set that visually communicates these themes and furnish the stage in a way that is flexible for the many locations, such as Juliet’s balcony, a street corner, and a house party. These elements eventually form a tool kit a bit like a set of logos to be played, experimented and found purpose for during the rehearsal process. We had a clear vision from the beginning that the two families are represented in two styles of costume: hip hop and historical. The styles are combined with Capulet and Montague’s family colours, in our world, green and purple, to become distinctive designs on their own, serving the function to distinct the families, build character personalities and to integrate into our new imagination of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ which took place in Merton, 2024.

What were your biggest inspirations for the designs of Romeo and Juliet?

During this particular show where the script is written in the process of the rehearsal (devised) I find it both very exciting and challenging in a very creative way. I was inspired by hip hop, street culture, the Italian Renaissance and internet culture for both set and costume. The set is a blend of the current world we live in, and the historic period and location where ‘Romeo and Juliet’ took place during the Italian Renaissance in Verona.

The set is designed to be built with metal frames, mirror and concrete I see a lot around London and generally in larger cities in the world, whilst taking the shape of a Renaissance Cathedral facade and dressed with fabric collages of digital remix renaissance paintings. The idea of the fabric in two separate colours for the two opposing families comes from family motifs and flags.

The show is also due to tour to schools, what considerations (if any) did you take for the designs of the show in order for it to be performed both at schools and at Polka?

The Touring aspect of the show is one of the most important aspects that informed the design. Touring in schools means we are reaching out to an audience that may not have the opportunity to come see the show at Polka which is always very nourishing and exciting. However, this also posts very realistic questions for the creative team – How do we move it? How will it fit into school halls/canteens/cafes? How heavy are the set pieces and will they be feasible to carry physically? My solution is – to separate the set into as many pieces as possible so they can fit through vans and doors, and also to put everything on wheels!

The set is separated into 5 movable flats, which allows different formations that creates the flexibility for numerous locations. The flats are also relatively light as they are frames lined with fabric. In this way, I am able to not compromise the visual effect of the design and to also create more possibilities for the actors.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is probably to creatively solve problems (such as the touring questions) and turn them into unique design identities. I love the process of being given a story and visualising it to give it its look that is both memorable and exciting to the eye, a kind of brand of the show if you like.

Especially when designing a Shakespearean play when it has been imagined millions of different ways, I tend to lean into my instincts and to utilise social trends in the contemporary world we live in, such as the internet culture and the concrete jungle. I really and truly belive in the fact that theatre has a responsibility to connect to the world we live in and to inspire our youth, and I think associating current affairs with design is a great way to do that.

Besides Romeo and Juliet, do you have a favourite Shakespeare play?

I love A Midsummer Night’s Dream!

Romeo and Juliet runs in our Adventure Theatre from Saturday 2 March – Sunday 14 April.
Recommended for ages 9-12+.
Click here to book.

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