I was commissioned by Stillpoint Theatre to design for their production, Moon Project.
‘Leila is an aeronautical engineer. Shahab is a film maker. Today they have been asked to give a talk about their famous friendship and how two such unlikely people have become friends in the first place.
It all started with a crash.
Leila was thrown into the air one day when Shahab crashed his car into her. Did she experience shock? or peak experience? And was it possible she experienced both at once? Meanwhile Shahab, who has spent his whole life on the run, is having to come to terms with why he didn’t stop to see if Leila was ok…
Moon Project is about how often the thing we want the most is the thing we are most frightened of. It is also about space.’
‘Pearl is birthing herself into theatre design from a fine art background – it’s very interesting – her language is slightly different, but the stuff that’s she’s bringing is really new in a wonderfully fertile way.’
Rachel Blackman, creative director, Stillpoint Theatre
‘Pearl Bates’ set design (she did the costumes, too) consists of a simple table-and-chairs ensemble – white against the black-box space – and, intriguingly, a spiral swirl on the floor. Combined with the lights overhead that act as stars and a homage to astrophysicist Carl Sagan’s “star stuff” speech, it serves to give a sense of scope to the interaction of these two individuals, that this is perhaps a microcosm for the whole of human experience.’
Robert Wallis
‘If it sounds pretentious, it really, really isn’t. Blackman and the company balance humour with honesty to create a work that is touching without being overly sentimental. The simple staging – two chairs and a table – provide a perfect showcase for the two superb actors. Blackman is versatile and utterly expressive.’
Ellie Buchdahl
Initial design process...
The realisation process...
The final design...
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