National Theatre launches free exhibition spotlighting emerging talent

The National Theatre has launched a free exhibition showcasing emerging talent in stage design. The new exhibition, entitled An Introduction to Stage Design, launched on Tuesday 7th April in the National Theatre’s Wolfson Gallery and will run for seven weeks. The programme aims to address skill shortages within the creative industries, and forms part of the National Theatre Skills Centre. 

An Introduction to Stage Design Exhibition at the National Theatre / Image credit: Rory Murphy

Supported by The Linbury Trust and led by leading industry practitioners, An Introduction to Stage Design showcases the creative work of 13 young people aged 16 to 19 who took part in the inaugural stage design programme, inspired by Nigel Williams’ stage adaptation of the classic William Golding novel Lord of the Flies. The works re-interpret the novel through a contemporary lens, with concept sketches, costume designs, scale models, and sculptural responses on display. Visitors are also invited to be involved in the creative process through experimenting with interactive models of the National Theatre’s three stages.  

Simon Stephens, Head of the National Theatre Skills Centre, said of the exhibition, “Designers are at the centre of the collaborative process required to bring a show from script to stage. This new exhibition is a brilliant showcase of each step of the process of design for the stage that also spotlights the work of emerging young designers. With so many young people wanting to get into theatre but struggling to find entry routes, the National Theatre Skills Centre in partnership with Bank of America aims to support skills development and springboard careers into the creative industries whilst shining a light on lesser-known roles. Between this new exhibition and the Linbury Prize Exhibition also open at the National Theatre, the creativity on display is truly inspiring to see.”

Find out more about the Introduction to Stage Design exhibition on the National Theatre’s website. 

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