facebook play-alt chevron-thin-right chevron-thin-left cancel location info chevron-thin-down star-full help-with-circle calendar images whatsapp directions_car directions_bike train directions_walk directions_bus close home newspaper-o perm_device_information restaurant school stay_current_landscape ticket train
Jon Bausor, winner of Best Design at UK Theatre Awards 2017

Jon Bausor, winner of Best Design at UK Theatre Awards 2017

In design: The Grinning Man’s Jon Bausor

Robin Johnson

By Robin Johnson Published 8 February 2018

When audiences step into the auditorium to watch brilliant new musical The Grinning Man, there’s one thing that’s impossible to miss – the (quite literally) jaw-dropping – and UK Theatre Award-winning – set design of John Bausor.

With a titanic grin encompassing the whole stage, and a specially configured space for the show at Trafalgar Studios, The Grinning Man’s set is an amazing mouthpiece through which to witness the deliciously dark and gothic tale of Grinpayne, a strange new fairground act who possesses a terrible secret.

So when we were exclusively invited to take a look at the pages of Bausor’s sketchbook, we couldn’t wait to see the ideas he played with before settling on the spectacular final choice. Take a look at some early Grinning Man designs below.

The Grinning Man set sketches (Credit: Jon Bausor)

The Grinning Man set sketches (Credit: Jon Bausor)

The Grinning Man set sketches (Credit: Jon Bausor)

The Grinning Man set sketches (Credit: Jon Bausor)

The Grinning Man set sketches (Credit: Jon Bausor)

The Grinning Man set sketches (Credit: Jon Bausor)

The Grinning Man set sketches (Credit: Jon Bausor)

The Grinning Man set sketches (Credit: Jon Bausor)

The Grinning Man set sketches (Credit: Jon Bausor)

The Grinning Man set sketches (Credit: Jon Bausor)

Drawing audiences into its fantastical world – with a dark heart – The Grinning Man is based on Hugo’s book The Man Who Laughs.

Macabre, magical and majestically presented, The Grinning Man is a unique musical delight, and recently celebrated extending its West End run until 14 April 2018.

Book your The Grinning Man tickets today!

Share

Sign up

Related articles