2021 Sadler's Wells Theatre
This is a speculative design for Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes
The whole opera takes place around the sea, yet the sea seems to exist only in people's mouths. The sea, where the fishermen depend, is like Peter's desires, ambitions and obsessions that limit and confine him. With the sea and Peter's desires as the main focus, my idea comes from bringing the sea to the stage. The aquarium is like a small and limited version of the sea. It is also a place where people watch and are watched, just like Peter and the people in town.
This is a speculative design for Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes
The whole opera takes place around the sea, yet the sea seems to exist only in people's mouths. The sea, where the fishermen depend, is like Peter's desires, ambitions and obsessions that limit and confine him. With the sea and Peter's desires as the main focus, my idea comes from bringing the sea to the stage. The aquarium is like a small and limited version of the sea. It is also a place where people watch and are watched, just like Peter and the people in town.
The material used for the set is pure white marble, with Peter positioned amidst it, adorned in a pale white costume, evoking the imagery of a Greek statue. The theme draws inspiration from ancient Greek sculptures, predominantly centered around myths. These myths epitomize the yearning for a better future, and the gods depicted in these works are idealized versions of mortals, possessing bodies that are healthier, wisdom that is greater, and willpower that is stronger than those of humans. Despite their divine attributes, these mythological figures still reflect human emotions and desires, serving as an aspiration for improved humanity. Peter embodies the essence of an ordinary mortal, unable to escape the grasp of his human desires. His outlook towards the future remains optimistic, yet his inability to break free from his desires results in a cruel fate, as he becomes ensnared and consumed by them, becoming a part of his own fantasy. The statue on the stage does not represent a god, goddess, or hero; rather, it symbolises an ordinary man, entangled within the confines of his own illusions. Standing upon a marble pedestal, Peter assumes a posture akin to a god on an altar, revered and respected. This serves as a metaphor for how we elevate our fantasies, hoping they will lead us to a better place, all the while oblivious to the fact that it is these very fantasies that ultimately lead to tragedy.