Kelly Jago

Prince of Denmark set is nearly finished!

2012-02-23T16:18:00.000-08:00

Q Division in Leeds have done an amazing job on the back wall, if you look closely you can see all the objects merged amongst the bricks.

My Cookery Book!

2012-02-22T07:47:00.000-08:00

Over the last few months I've been working on an illustrated cookery book, this is one idea for the front cover. It's mostly baking recipes but will also include a few tips and essential lists for cooking tools/larder ingredients etc. Any feedback would be great!

Prince of Denmark working drawings

2012-02-22T07:35:00.000-08:00

Working drawings

Prince of Denmark research and model

2012-02-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

Research images

Scale model of back wall

Mamesfield to Mansfield

2012-02-22T06:51:00.000-08:00

Initial flyer designs

Nottingham Playhouse Fibre Glass slipper

2011-10-11T06:16:00.000-07:00

The Leeds Library - Leeds Model

2011-10-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

Finally finished making the model of Leeds for 'The Book in my Head is now on the Page' at the Leeds Library on Friday night as part of the Light night performances.

Santa's Grotto initial design

2011-07-08T06:13:00.000-07:00

Here is my scale model initial design idea for the Santa's Grotto area.

Santa's Grotto initial concept costume designs

2011-07-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

Here are my initial costume concept designs for part of a Santa's grotto to be featured as part of Christmas markets in town squares.

Frankenstein model and set

2011-07-08T05:24:00.000-07:00

Costume sketch

Brassed Off performance

2011-06-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from the show. Photography is by Tracey Foster.

Brassed Off - Set build and get in

2011-06-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

The Brassed Off set has now been built and is up at the Mandsfield Palace. Tech starts tomorrow.

The Leeds Library - New site specific performance venue

2011-06-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I went to Leeds to visit 'The Leeds Library', the venue for a new site specific performance, working again with A Quiet Word.

Edge of the Unknown show photos..

2011-03-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Below are some of the graphics I have created for different moments in the performance

Edge of the Unknown is open!

2011-03-17T05:16:00.000-07:00

Please click the link below for more information!

http://www.journallive.co.uk/culture-newcastle/arts-news/2011/03/14/delving-into-the-unknown-61634-28328317/

Brassed Off - Initial modelbox ideas

2011-02-01T12:10:00.000-08:00

I have been working on the initial design ideas for Brassed Off, opening in June at the Mansfield Palace Theatre.

Looking for the Rainbow - SBTD figures

2011-02-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

I have been re-making my model box and figures for the SBTD exhibition. Finished the models, now working my way through the model!

Terro Season 2010 show pics

2010-12-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

Here are some more pics of the Reanimator performance.

Terror Season at Southwark Playhouse

2010-10-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

The show runs until October 31st

Terror Season at Southwark Playhouse

2010-09-24T18:13:00.000-07:00

Here is my initial scale model for the Terror Season set, the design will be used for all four plays, with different configurations and props/set added/removed from the design to create the different settings.

Terror Season at Southwark Playhouse

2010-09-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

Here is the next project I am designing:

Click here for link to more information on the Southwark Playhouse website

The Great British Weekend

2010-09-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

Whilst working at the Pleasance in Edinburgh I also worked designing on a show called The Great British Weekend, a site specific promenade show performed across the Mound, ending the the entire set being packed into the car and driven away!

Below are some initial costume and set sketches for the show.

The performance began in the 1920's at a badminton game in a grand country house garden, then moved into the 1950's at the beach, a 1960's protest rally, 1980's consumer hell, ending in the present day packing the car to leave to go on holiday.

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-07-09T04:56:00.000-07:00

I have been working on new costume drawings for the SBTD exhibition next year, here is the first of two drawings, showing Kirsty!

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-07-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today was the last show of Looking for a Rainbow, at Lakeside Arts Center. This was my first and last opportunity to get some good images to display at the SBTD exhibition in January, I hope some of these will be good enough!

Bittersweet Sunshine..

2010-07-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

Bittersweet Sunshine opened at the Carriageworks in Leeds on the 17th June. The set looked really nice in the venue, here are some images I took during the dress rehearsal.

Bittersweet Sunshine..

2010-06-13T07:01:00.000-07:00

This is the hat I have made for the character of the air hostess, I found her a very similar suit to the drawing and I and altering it this week, I still need to find the shoes!

Bittersweet Sunshine..

2010-06-13T06:54:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to Leeds to see the set, the projection screen is still to come, but all the paint work is finished. The set was built by a company called Q division. I was really impressed by the quality and the price of the set. We are still sourcing some furniture and altering some costumes ready for the performances starting on the 21st June, at the Carriage works, Leeds.

Under Milk Wood..

2010-06-13T06:20:00.000-07:00

Under Milk Wood opened last week, here are some images from the dress rehearsal.

Dream Play modelbox..

2010-06-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

I have been developing the design in the model box for A dream Play, working on a back wall structure, combining some elements of the different location and ideas that become more obvious and prominent throughout the play. The back wall also combines the door that is referred to throughout the play. I'm currently developing the relationship between the tower and other areas with the idea of a montaged back wall.

A Dream Play..

2010-05-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

The initial model for a dream play, at Lakeside arts center

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-05-20T04:11:00.000-07:00

The finished set, and the model!

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-05-20T04:07:00.001-07:00

This is a link to a video of the Rainbow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9iUn6OwNg4

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-05-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

These are the cushions for the children to sit on to watch the show.

Under Milk Wood..

2010-05-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

My Illustrated poster is up at Mansfield Palace!

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-05-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

This is the finished set for Looking for the Rainbow, the first show is on Friday in Derby, then it goes on tour around the U.K.

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-05-12T02:24:00.000-07:00

The Set arrived on Monday and last night we painted all the metal primer, base coats and the first layer of colour.

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-05-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

I have designed this image for stickers that will be handed out to the children at the end of the show!

Bittersweet Sunshine..

2010-05-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

I have finished the model, technical drawings and costume drawings for Bittersweet Sunshine. I have the final design presentation meeting tomorrow and I will also be going to see the venue that the show will be performed at.

Here are the costume drawings...

Here is the model..

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-05-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

The 'Looking for the Rainbow' set has now been built, by Set One and it will be painted next week in rehearsals.

I will be exhibiting my model box, performance pictures, illustrations and costume drawings at the SBTD exhibition in January 2011. With the possibility of it moving to the V and A, and the Prague quadrennial. (Though very unlikely!)

Bittersweet Sunshine..

2010-04-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

I have worked on the projection screen at the back of the set, this will be used for flash back scenes, where Solomon (who was a child soldier in Sierra Leone) imagines huge shadows from his former life taking over his surroundings.

Bittersweet Sunshine..

2010-04-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

This design is for a play that I am doing with Red Ladder/Red Grit, for the emerge festival in Leeds.

The play is based on a guy called Terry who runs and English bar in the Costa Brava, his neice comes to visit him to ask questions about her Father and find out about his past.

During my research I have been looking at the photographer Martin Parr, who over saturates images of the stereotypical tourist on holiday. I also liked the idea of the Costa Brava/the bar/ their lives being very gray and dull, old and worn but having a facade that is all flashing bright over saturated, as Ben put it "hyper real". Another thing that stood out to me when researching into the bars in tacky holiday resorts is the bombardment of hand written black board sign advertising all the home comforts from England. They almost tessellate the walls of the clubs and bars. I liked the idea of having lots of these signs, either advertising the usual fish n chips, pukka pies etc..or maybe some of the things that the hostess/rep talks about during her odd speeches! For example "casual sex", "extreme alcohol intake" etc etc!

Under Milk Wood model box..

2010-04-28T15:10:00.000-07:00

I have been developing the design for Under Milk Wood. Adding texture and colour to the floor and adding set dressing to show different locations and scenes. For example currently you can see the washing that is hung up by Polly Garter.

The floor is split into different section also mirroring the hands of a clock face and sections of a clock.

Under Milk Wood model box

2010-04-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

This is the first stages of the Under Milk Wood model box, the reverend Eli Jenkins writing desk is upstage right on the raised floor. There are lots of suspended props and costume surrounding the central set.

Under Milk Wood promotional posters and flyers...

2010-03-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

Here are the finished posters and flyers for Under Milk Wood, at Mansfield Palace.

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-03-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

This is the very almost finished design!

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-03-13T13:53:00.000-08:00

I have reworked the floor, though may change it back to yellow, the model shows all scene changes, I have changed the river so it comes from up stage rather than down stage right. I have also added circular coloured mats for the children to sit on.

Opening scene, ironing in the house

The cave

The hook a duck fairground game

The River

Back at home..the Rainbow

Under Milk Wood..

2010-03-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

I am working with the Mansfield Palace Theatre, designing Under Milk Wood, which is on in June, here is the first stages of the scale model.
The play centers around a small welsh village, we see the comings and going of the villages occupants over a 24 hour period, from their private dreams to their daily routines.

Dream Play

2010-03-08T07:46:00.001-08:00

I am designing the set and costume for a play called Dream play, originally by John Steinbeck but adapted by Carol Churchill, it will be on at Lakeside in July.

The play is quite surreal and disjointed, it has many locations and a lot of theatrical challenges, for example flying children, two lovers sailing on a boat, a tower that grows throughout the play and then burns down at the end!

Here are two possible solutions for the flying children and boat scene.I think the play would work well being told in a storyteller style, with characters obviously creating small scale locations and manipulating props. Some of the locations include a cave, a seaside cholera quarantine station, stage door, solicitors room, class room, ballroom etc etc
The play is set in a dream and I would like the set to reflect the fragmented and blurred quality of dreams. Elements of each scene/location will be incorporated into many suspended square windows, stretching back into the distance. some will be practical, for example in the class room, one of these windows with have a chalk board within the frame that can be written on.

I really like the style of writing on the play, it has many great lines, here a a few of my favorites!

"Time flies while we speak. so time is something that flies while I'm speaking"

"I once asked a child whose Father was at sea why the sea was salty, and he said because sailors cry. Why do they cry? Because they are so far away. And they put there handkerchiefs on the masts to dry. So then I asked him why do people cry when they're sad? And he said because they have to wash their eyes so they can see better."

"What's poetry? It's not real but maybe it's more than real. It's dreaming while you're awake."

Looking for the Rainbow..

2010-03-08T05:41:00.000-08:00

I am designing the set and costume for a show called Looking for the Rainbow, with the 'Big Window Theatre Company'.

Here are some initial sketches I have drawn, this image shows Mum revealing the Rainbow to Kirsty at the end of the play! It is rolled up in her laundry bag and she pegs it on the washing line, as she lets go it unrolls to the floor and a rainbow appears!

Here are some characters we meet along the way, the purple rabbit and blue fish drying on the rack! and the duck, he is a character in the story, his yellow t-shirt is collected to represent yellow in the rainbow, along with six other coloured t-shirts, one for each colour of the rainbow.
Here is the scale model I made for the research and development week, this helped the actors to understand the space they are working in and helped the creative and production team to work through ideas and how the space can be used. The design is still evolving and I will re make the model soon more accurately and with the changes and ideas that we developed during the R and D week.
The images show three of the set changes, the river, the cave and the rainbow finale!

Those magnificent men

2010-03-08T05:35:00.000-08:00

Here are some images of the finished set during a performance.

The story of Alcock and Brown

2009-11-13T09:56:00.000-08:00

This week i have been assistant designing for a designer called Helen Davies, I have been developing her original idea and making the scale model of the set.

The play tells the story of 'Alcock and Brown', the first men to complete the continuous transatlantic flight in 1919.

The design is complicated as everything i have made transforms into something else throughout the play. The design is based around the central cockpit, which evolves from a truck carrying all the props and set pieces for the performance, to a stage, to the interior of the plane. The wings are fabric and roll up so sit inside the base of the truck.
The different scenes and set are all achieved using props.

More Alfie..

2009-11-06T06:37:00.000-08:00

More images of Alfie..water colour and computer coloured

Water colour and ink Alfie

2009-11-06T05:36:00.000-08:00

Here is an image of Alfie, drawn using ink and coloured with water colour

Alfie the Aye Aye...initial idea

2009-11-02T12:47:00.000-08:00

After recently watching 'Last chance to see" I discovered the.. 'Aye aye".
One of the most interesting animals I have ever seen. They are particularly interesting to me as they are considered (unfairly) one of natures ugliest creatures.

They have a really long spindly finger that they use to tap on tree branches whilst listening with their enormous ears for grubs and beetles. Once detected they use their long finger to claw into the holes and pull out their tasty prize.

Ancient Malagasy legend said that the Aye-aye was a symbol of death.

I starting thinking about an Aye aye character and thought it would be a really great story for a childrens book. Today i started sketching my Aye aye..now named Alfie, and these are the first images i came up with.

Perfitt's Sandwich Shop

2009-10-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

Xmas cards, Me, Mum, Martin and Fluke..

2009-10-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

Kelly's Monkellys!

2009-10-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

This is the start of my new range of 'Monkelly' soft toys! Each comes with its own name and short description of its character!

Jess, and Katie with some unfinished friend..

Ideas for some new xmas cards

2009-10-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

These are some initial ideas for a set/range of lighthouse themed Xmas cards

Illustrated cards with backgrounds

2009-10-10T06:47:00.001-07:00

Here are some finished Xmas Cards that will make up a set

Xmas cards commission final design

2009-10-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

Here is the final illustration for a set of Xmas cards.

Commissioned Xmas card illustration

2009-09-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

Here are my first designed for a set of illustrated Xmas cards

Fascinator

2009-09-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

I also made this today, using pattern paper and fabric, this is also available to purchase from Kathleen and Lily. Price £25

More items for Kathleen and Lilys

2009-09-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the latest customised, decoupage and handmade items I have made, they can be purchased from Kathleen and Lily's, Mansfield Road Notingham.

illustrations..

2009-07-30T06:11:00.000-07:00

Here are the original illustrations for the cards.

Card illustration..

2009-07-30T05:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a set of greetings cards, stickers and writing paper I have illustrated for some friends, featuring them and their dogs, in different locations around Saltdean (where they live).

Giraffe's can't dance scenic painting

2009-07-30T04:45:00.000-07:00

During the last week at Blunderbus I worked on Gerald the giraffe, re painting him to match the illustration from the book.

Blunderbus week Six..

2009-07-13T16:14:00.001-07:00

This week I have been continuing with scenic painting. I have been working on the dragon for Dragon's daughter, and the ribs and a magic mirror for Pinocchio.

Insect Play performance

2009-07-09T15:07:00.000-07:00

Insect Play set continued...

2009-07-06T01:55:00.000-07:00

I have 6 bags of chipped bark of varying shades and colours that will be added to the floor once it has been dried out in the sun. This will blend the set into its surrounding environment and also add another sensory element to the performance.

The Insect Play set and Thoresby

2009-07-06T01:53:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Set One delivered the set to Thoresby, here we are arranging all the set pieces.

Insect play "the Pile" continued..

2009-07-01T14:25:00.001-07:00

Today I continued with the pile, I added open weave hessian, bunting, string, fabric scraps, pearl beads, and other props.

I also intend to add some of these fabrics into the costumes for the beetle characters.

Blunder bus week four continued..

2009-07-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Today I started painting the style, i decided to use 3 main base colours, all shades of brown, then spray into the base with high and low lights, I then painted more detail into the wood. I then added the flowers and grasses, more sprayed layers and glazes.

The style has two sides to it, it is the boundary between the village and the dragon world, n 'Dragon's daughter. One side is bright and inviting, the other is decayed and dead. As the puppet enters the dragon's world over the style it is revolved to reveal the blackened back.

Blunder bus week four continued..

2009-07-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

Today I finished the tortoise and the Anteater, and sprayed more into the donkeys.

Insect play Model and Set

2009-06-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some images of the scale model, and the full size set.

Blunderbus week four

2009-06-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Today I started painting the two poly carved donkeys, for Pinocchio, and finished painting the tortoise.

Insect play "the Pile" continued..

2009-06-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Today I added more to the beetle's "Pile", eventually there will be layers of open weave hessian, more raffia, string, props, e.g books and coins, layers of hand painted and sprayed paint.

Insect play set

2009-06-29T12:35:00.001-07:00

Last Thursday I drove to Derby to visit 'Set One' who are building the set for the insect play.
All the set pieces are complete, and being painted, I covered the bases with hessian.
I also scrimmed the first layer of hessian on the 1m diameter polystyrene ball.

Blunderbus week three continued..

2009-06-29T12:31:00.001-07:00

I started painting the two chimps for 'Giraffe's can't dance' and had to make and older chimp puppet match the newer ones. This week I also painted a 'Playland' sign for Pinocchio.

Blunderbus week three

2009-06-29T12:27:00.001-07:00

In week three I continued painting the puppets, here are the first stages of the Ant eater and the tortoise.
My sea horse from the Rainbow fish was also finally completed this week!

Blunderbus week two

2009-06-19T02:47:00.000-07:00

This week I started work on painting the Pinocchio set. It consists of a wooden shed that revolves and turns into many locations including the workshop at the beginning. The set pieces were all primed with white before i started the painting.

We also started to develop about the design for the new show 'Dragon's daughter' Dean and I did some visual research at home to get inspiration for the shape of the hill layers and castle. We carved a simple 1:10 scale model out of polystyrene to help us work out the shape and size of each section, then we scaled this up and drew it out on the floor, so the rest of the team could transfer these shapes onto wood and begin the build.

Blunderbus week one

2009-06-19T02:44:00.001-07:00

I started back at Blunderbus last week, the first task was to complete the finishing paint touches to some of the rainbow fish characters.

Shop at Shop

2009-05-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

I have a selecion of record bowls and decoupage super hero plates, available to purchase from "SHOP" at Canning circus, and soon to be available online at http://www.viewtheshop.co.uk/

"Shop is a different type of creative agency; it also houses a retail and gallery space which is used to exhibit and sell works by its members and collaborators. It will soon be possible to browse and purchase our products from anywhere in the world.
We also hold regular Open Shop events and launch parties, in which the public can see our work."

Insect play model continued..

2009-05-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

Development for army ant scene.

Illustrated plates

2009-05-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

Today I bought some amazing pens that allow you to draw onto porcelain, then bake the item in the oven, leaving the design on it permanently. Here are my first attempts!

Insect play initial scale model..

2009-05-08T07:39:00.001-07:00

I have started working on the set design for the insect play, this is the initial stage of model making, working out what works and what doesn't in the space.

May 2009

2009-05-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

I am currently in the initial design stage for two plays. 'The Insect Play' with the Arts support service Theatre Company in Nottingham and 'Looking For The Rainbow' with Big Window Theatre Company.

'Looking for a Rainbow' is currently at the initial script writing stage, it is really great to have involvement with a play from such an early stage as it is possible to feed ideas into the script, that will work effectively with the eventual style of the design.

The Insect play opens in the first week of July at the Thorsbury Riding hall in Newark.
Looking for the Rainbow will open next year and have a national tour in theatres and some schools.

SJT The Heights Video

2009-05-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

The Heights at SJT

2009-05-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

Last week myself and the The television workshop cast took 'The Heights' to the Steven Joseph Theatre in Scarburough, the Mc Carthy theatre space. We had one performance as part of the National Theatre Connections festival.

More pericles....

2009-04-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

Pericles performance...

2009-04-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

York Theatre Royal
Directed by: Julian Ollive

Rehearsal pics

2009-04-16T05:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a few more images from the tech rehearsal...

Video of Pericles ship wreck scene..

2009-04-16T02:44:00.000-07:00

Pericles tech week and fit up..

2009-04-16T02:40:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of my Pericles set, for York theatre Royal, it only took a day to put up. the show opens this evening.

week 3 with blunderbus..

2009-04-06T14:47:00.001-07:00

I've started painting the set, using layers of watery pain to hopefully create a rock effect, with highlights and low lights to show depth.

I have almost finished Prunella, she has all her fins and features and just needs some internal structure and sticking back together ready for painting.

I also sketched lots of designs for shadow puppets, which will be cut out of plasterzote (sheets of polyethylene block foam).

The Heights Performance

2009-03-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

Blunderbus - Rainbow fish, week two

2009-03-29T07:47:00.001-07:00

Week two of Blunderbus fun! this week I carved two more sea horses and started carving a big fish called Prunella.

Blunderbus - Rainbow fish, week one

2009-03-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

This week I have been working with a Theatre company called Blunderbus, on their new show 'The Rainbow Fish'. I have been working with a range of materials, from fabric to polystyrene. Today i have spent the whole day designing three sea horse puppets and almost finished carving the first one.

The Heights set continued..

2009-03-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

I have completed all the paper on the wall, I need to do a few more washes and pick out more particular pieces of paper. The floor still needs a few glazes of a thin leather lake wash and the bed needs painting.

Alley cafe Exhibition...03 09

2009-03-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

Today i set up an exhibition of my work in the Alley cafe, Nottingham. Including two new ranges of decorative plates, superhero comics, and flying birds.

Exhibition runs until the end of March.
Prices range from £4 - £20

The Heights set continued..

2009-03-02T15:51:00.000-08:00

The back wall is nearly completed, all the paper is attached and two of the three entrances are complete. The suspended birds are in place and the free standing frame and bed entrance are built. It will take roughly 2/3 days to finish all the paint effects on the set and props.