PADOS Theatre
Theatre set design
Highlights
Winner of Best Musical at the 2025 NODA awards.
Seamless handoff to build teams due to 3D modelling.
Positive reviews inc 'Redefining amateur theatre standards'.
Overview
PADOS Theatre has a line up of multiple shows per year which culminate in their adult musical in the spring at a local theatre where the capacity is quadrupled compare to their own venue.
With this being a cornerstone of the season, the need for the show to financially perform is a must to help fund other charity activities.
This year, the charity decided to stage Bonnie & Clyde. A tale about the famous outlaws who moved through southern USA during the great depression filled with showstopping music and action.
I was asked to help deign the stage that would be installed.
During the project, I delivered the following:
- A comprehensive set design that took into account the capabilities of the construction and install teams.
- A visual pack to help with scenic decorating.
- Assistance during the project to help manage the set build and installation.
Project overview
Designed, planned and installed a set design for the Bonnie & Clyde stage show for PADOS Theatre.
Timelines
3 months (including design, planning and installation).
Role
Set designer - responsible for design and assist with the install.
Team
Myself, venue stage staff and multiple PADOS volunteers.
About PADOS Theatre
PADOS (Prestwich Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society) Theatre, rooted in Prestwich since 1919, is a vibrant community institution with a rich history in amateur theatre.
From its origins in the St. Hilda’s Glee Club to its transformation of the former Prestwich Library into the PADOS Studio Theatre, the society has showcased captivating productions across iconic venues.
Today, PADOS thrives with Adult, Junior, and Youth groups, delivering West End-style classics and innovative performances, while fostering future talent and keeping its century-long legacy alive.
Problem areas
PADOS need a set design that will be easy to build by a low experienced workforce.
PADOS need a set design that will be quick and easy to install by a low experience workforce.
PADOS need a set design that where parts could be used in other productions to help keep costs down.
Conducting research
Before starting, I needed to understand how other theatre companies had tackled the set design.
Reviewing other productions
I looked at many different places to see how different production companies had tackled their set design to gain inspiration and overcome some of the possible hurdles.
From my research I found the following:
- Projections were used heavily to help convey time, location and emotion.
- The car was a key part of the set design which needed to have prime focus.
- Wood was a key material to use to help tell the story.
Defining the design area
The design needs to be low cost.
The design needs to be able to fit into one truck for transport.
The design need to fixed onto rostrum due to haveing the band on top of it.
The design needs to allow for projections.
Ideation and testing
Opportunity to think about possible solutions taking user and business needs into consideration. Talking with stakeholders and peers was crucial here to make sure nothing is missed.
Create a model of the stage
Working with the director to understand his vision for the show, I created a scale 3D model of the stage to help visualise elements better.
Doing this allowed us to see where action could take place, where the cast could enter/exit the stage, where the crew would need to be stationed and how the band would enter/exit.
This model also provided the basis for the construction team as they had measurements ready for the build.
Designing the car
From research, I has outlined that the car would be an integral piece of the set and story.
When designing this I needed to understand how often it was getting used in the show and what the cast needed from it (eg sitting on various parts).
I also needed to be aware of the logistics of the item for transport to/from the theatre.
Here is the design for the car that takes into consideration all the dimensions of each section for the build team.
Design pack
To help unify the team more about the set, I created a specification pack to hand to the build and installation team.
This pack outlined the following:
- Inspiration from other productions on the stage and car.
- 3D model overview with elevation breakdown.
- Car design breakdown
- Colour breakdown
- Installation timelines.
Installation and delivery
I ensured that I was there for the whole design and delivery, keeping a close eye on quality along the way.
Project reflections
Time to reflect and understand what went well and what could be done better.
Ticket sales
Even though there was an increased effort from the marketing department to promote the show, unfortunately it did not sell as well as anticipated.
I don’t think is a reflection of PADOS as the professional touring show needed to close due to poor ticket sales.
However, it meant that the charity needed to increase fundraising in other areas to accommodate for this.
Winning Best Musical award
PADOS is part of the NODA awarding body (a UK affiliate dedicated to supporting amateur theatre) and each year all of their productions are nominated for awards.
In January 2025, Bonnie & Clyde was awarded the ‘Best Musical’, competing against 32 other theatre companies across the district.