Hartlepool art school helps bring Game of Thrones style play to life with stunning sets and costumes

Art students in Hartlepool have created stunning Game of Thrones style sets for a local drama production.
By Mark Payne
Published 20th Feb 2020, 16:45 BST
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Staff and students studying production and set design at The Northern School of Art in Church Street have made costumes and props for the Billingham Players’ production of The Lion in Winter.

Written by James Goldman and set in the 12th Century, the modern-day classic features sibling rivalry, adultery, and dungeons just like the hit fantasy TV show.

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Ten students on the art school’s costume design degree are making costumes designed by course leader, Jane Havakin, while technician Kate Rigg from the textiles degree programme is dying fabric.

Northern School of Art student Amelia Mitchell painting a tapestry for the production.Northern School of Art student Amelia Mitchell painting a tapestry for the production.
Northern School of Art student Amelia Mitchell painting a tapestry for the production.

Harry Leversage, a second year production and set design degree student, has made a selection of authentic replica weapons while two others, Anabel Jollands and Amelia Mitchell, have painted four detailed tapestries for backdrops.

Course technician, Mark Robinson, has made furniture for the set and course leader Tony Shaw has designed the programme.

Production design degree lecturer Norman Austick is directing the play while second year acting degree student Josh Dixon and Abby Dennison from the school’s marketing team are both part of the cast.

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Norman said: “The school has a wide range of stage and screen industry related programmes that encompass a huge amount of talent.

Some of the cast in costumes created by students from The Northern School of Art with Director Norman Austick.Some of the cast in costumes created by students from The Northern School of Art with Director Norman Austick.
Some of the cast in costumes created by students from The Northern School of Art with Director Norman Austick.

“We’re delighted to be putting it to good use by supporting a thriving community theatre company. It’s also invaluable industry experience for our students.”

The Lion in Winter is set during Christmas 1183 and tells the tale of King Henry II, his imprisoned queen, released only for the holiday, and their three entitled sons who vie for the throne in a double-dealing division of the kingdom.

Best known for the film adaptation starring Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn, the play is described as a ‘viciously funny drama and an epic family take-down that is a high-stakes chess game where the pieces constantly change sides and no one is spared the sword’.

The Lion in Winter is at the Theatre Upstairs, Belasis Avenue, Billingham, from Monday February 24, until Saturday, February 29.

Tickets are £10 and £5 for students.

Related topics:Hartlepool