The Paper Nautilus by Gavin Bryars
Commissioned by Theatre Cryptic
First performed at the Tramway, Glasgow
02 November 2006

team
director: Cathie Boyd
set, film and costume designer: Pippa Nissen
lighting designer: Nich Smith
film assistant: Kate Moross
conductor: Gary Walker

The set consisted of a pool of water at the front of the stage, a gauze screen right across the stage, and a walkway at the back, where a circular disc slowly crossed the width over the course of the performance. The band performed in the centre of the stage.

Video is used throughout on the front gauze and on the circle, which charts the progress of the singers through the water. Throughout the whole performance there is a sense of moving downwards: the imagery starts above water, and then progresses to the depths of the sea - where the sea creatures use bioluminescence to create light. This becomes a potent metaphor in Jackie Kay’s libretto.

read more