Act Reviews 2024 / 2025 Season

stage manager, along with her crew—Paul Jarvis and Janet Philbrook—kept the action moving effortlessly, manoeuvring set pieces into position and contributing to the immersive underwater experience. Lighting designer Mark Storton crafted an effective underwater ambiance, employing washes of blue light that truly made us feel submerged in the ocean. Spotlights were used strategically to highlight key scenes, while clever choices conveyed various emotional atmospheres—such as an eerie glow for the jellyfish and vibrant hues in the reef. The sound design by Leroy Philbrook, and assisted by Toby Edmondson, was equally commendable; microphones were perfectly balanced to ensure clear dialogue and music, allowing every joke and heartfelt moment to resonate with impact. Notably, the soundtrack was seamlessly managed alongside live dialogue, a feat that undoubtedly required skill and precision. Projections provided by Fendt Theatrical Projections LLC were particularly impressive, enhanced by Burnley College's dual projectors that allowed for edge-to-edge coverage. This setup immersed the audience in the Pixar universe, enriching the storytelling with clever visuals that set the context for each scene. The projected moving imagery was expertly timed to the action on stage, requiring constant attention from the crew. This was especially critical during moments like the emotive “swim down” net scene towards the end, where a massive net filled with fish was projected, and the actors had to synchronise their movements with the imagery for maximum effect. The set, props, and costumes were truly remarkable, showcasing the talents of many individuals. Props impressively crafted by Mike McKeown—such as LED-clad clear umbrellas representing the squishy jellyfish, the glowing egg symbolising baby Nemo, ingeniously repurposed pool noodles as expansive coral, and the oversized “P. Sherman” scuba mask—added an enchanting touch to the visual storytelling and further enhanced the creative landscape. Costumes designed by Anne Allan were equally stunning, featuring inventive elements like an old-style headmaster gown with a flowing cape for Professor Ray, cleverly representing both his role as a teacher and the wings of a ray. The vibrant, colourful attire for the reef fish, including a multicoloured skirt for Pearl’s tentacles, brought the underwater world to life, while tinfoil-esque fire blankets humorously depicted the shoal of synchronised

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