This task intends to strengthen our abilities in different aspects of the work that is put in to produce a play. In this class, the main lessons being taught are about our skills as a performer, and how to best aid the play through portraying the character, the use of theatrical techniques and blocking a scene, as well as a director. However, this task makes us think about different aspects of the production that are vital in it being the best it can be, including different design features. This not only strengthens our creativity (especially in terms of productions), but also gives us a better understanding of all of the different choices made in a play, and how to use them most effectively.

The play we will be designing is called ‘Fugee’. It is a play by Abi Morgan about a refugee, Kojo, and the events of his life. I was a member of the group in charge of designing the costumes for each member of the cast. While the main part of it was finding specific costume ideas that reflect each character, we also had to find viable colour palettes, have symbolism for colours or articles of clothing and find a way to interconnect each costume (to make them work as a whole).

One of the first things we decided on was the base costume that everyone would generically have. This is a white or black shirt, and blue jeans (except for Kojo with black jeans). We decided this as it allowed for much interpretation from each individual cast member, as well as tying everyone together. It can also show how all of the characters can still be considered regular people, but each still has their general quirks and different attributes that set them apart. Having the same base costume can also symbolise how everyone is just a memory, a part of Kojo’s story that is represented through this production. This can also be shown through Kojo distinctly having different jeans from everyone else. He is the only cast member to wear black jeans (as opposed to blue). They can show how Kojo is the character that stands out in this play, he is to be the main focus in every scene. It gives a distinct form of separation between everyone else and Kojo, as this is his story, and how he is seen as separate from the rest.

To further this, we decided that each character, as well as the base costume, should have a distinct article of clothing used to display their character in a colour corresponding with the group they are associated with in Kojo’s mind. This can be used to visually represent the differences of each character, how each (even if not entirely explored in the play) has a unique life completely different to the next. It can highlight differences and similarities between characters, especially how Kojo might find those connections.

 The colours we decided to use for each group of characters are red (an accent colour also used for Kojo’s family and those that Kojo may associate with members of his family), blue (for the refugees), green (for onlookers of the scene where Kojo stabs a man), yellow (for workers) and black (for soldiers). We chose to use red as the main accent colour as it is quite different and striking compared to the other base colours (blue, white and black), drawing the viewer’s eyes towards it. We also thought that red is a good representation of the family as it is the colour of blood. Kojo might associate his family with this colour due to their death, as well as showing his bond with them. We also decided, due to the play being about Kojo’s world, to visually show the connections Kojo might draw between people in his life and his family. This is done through also having those people were an article of red clothing, directly connecting them to others wearing the same colour. The second colour used is blue, specifically for the refugees. This is as blue is often the colour used as a sign of hope for refugees, with this colour not only showing their status in Kojo’s memories but also a hopeful future that Kojo might wish upon them. Another colour used is green, for onlookers during the scene where Kojo kills someone. This can be used to symbolise how different and happy their lives look in comparison to his own life. Yellow was used on all workers Kojo encounters. This can represent how Kojo might see them in a deceiving manner, pretending to be nice but not caring for him at all. Finally, black was used for the child soldiers. This was used as it is a bland colour, showing how Kojo may not see their individual life, but rather their actions throughout the play. The colour black can also symbolise death (which Kojo associates them with due to them killing his family) and hopelessness, as he is forced to serve them in horrid conditions.  Overall, we decided to use such different colours for each group of people in Kojo’s life as a representation of the completely different views he has on them. Each group is distinctly different in his mind, and the colours can show how he might perceive each one of them in a different light.

The full list of characters and their associated costume –

The base colours –

And accent colours of –

This task allowed us to be creative in ways that help engage and develop our sense of productions and the extensive work that goes into producing one.