A dazzling and innovative scenography has been created for the next show at Scarborough’s Etienne-Joseph Theater by an award-winning young creator.

TK Hay, who was recently named Best Designer at the 2022 Stage Debut Awards, used over a mile of luminous fiber optic cable to create a web of light that surrounds the actors Carla Harrison Hodge and Emilio Iannucci in Nick Payne‘s Constellations, at the SJT from October 28 to November 12.

The show examines the “what ifs” that come from a single encounter, following a couple through a multitude of possibilities based on the decisions they make.

TK Hay was inspired by two installation artists to create a set unlike anything seen in a theatrical production before: Chiharu Shiota from Japan, who creates huge, intricate webs of wires and threads, and “the Italian artist of pure light”. Carlo Bernardini, who uses fiber optics, prisms and sculptural elements to form laser-like geometric installations.

He says: “What we wanted was a design that responded to the action of the play, so the staging from the start was very visually focused.

“I was thinking about the bond between the two protagonists and how, through all these different realities, they somehow manage to connect.

“I threw for Paul Robinsonthe director, that we took the work of Shiota and Bernadini and merged it – I thought that would be amazing!”

Paul Robinson says, “TK’s design is absolutely remarkable: we’re not just looking at what this piece can do, but also what the theatrical form can do with what he imagined.”

The set design created its own challenges for SJT production manager Denzil Hebditch and technical director Tigger Johnson.

Denzil says, “Working with fiber optics in this way was not something we had done before and we were concerned that we would struggle to achieve TK’s vision, but the results have been quite spectacular!”

Constellations won Best New Play at the 2012 Evening Standard Awards, making Nick Payne the youngest ever recipient of the award. He has also been nominated for several Olivier Awards, including for SJT Associate Artist Simon Slater‘s music score, which will be used in the production of SJT.

Constellations’ SJT production also includes lighting design by Jane Lalljee and motion direction by Jennifer Kay.

It can be seen in Ronde at the SJT from Friday October 28 to Saturday November 12, 2022.

Tickets, priced at £10, are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com