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Bob Crowley carousel

Bob Crowley carousel

Olivier Award-nominated Set Designs

First Published 5 April 2017, Last Updated 6 April 2017

Close your eyes. Ask your theatregoing companion to (assuming they’re not feeling mischievous) guide you into the auditorium towards your seat, and sit down. Open them – and all of a sudden, you’re amidst the arid climes of sprawling desert metropolis Agrabah, trapped in the repression of a jaded financially bereft St Louis, shivering in the snowfall of small-town Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, or revelling in the majesty of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Such is the power, quality and – lest it need be said – sheer imagination of the West End theatres’ set designers, set to be celebrated at this Sunday’s Olivier Awards with Mastercard ceremony. Offering us an insightful glimpse into the original designs from the minds of the designers nominated for the Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design, Bob Crowley (Disney’s Aladdin and The Glass Menagerie), Rob Howell (Groundhog Day) and Christine Jones (Harry Potter And The Cursed Child) have imaginations which truly know no bounds.

Bob Crowley, Disney’s Aladdin

Credit: Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre – Bob Crowley © Disney

Set designs for Disney's Aladdin (Credit: Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre - Bob Crowley © Disney)

Bob Crowley

Set designs for Disney's Aladdin (Credit: Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre - Bob Crowley © Disney)

Cave of Wonders – ‘Friend Like Me’

Set designs for Disney's Aladdin (Credit: Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre - Bob Crowley © Disney)

Jasmine’s Balcony

Set designs for Disney's Aladdin (Credit: Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre - Bob Crowley © Disney)

Marketplace – ‘One Jump’

Bob Crowley, The Glass Menagerie

Credit: Production photo by Johan Persson

The Glass Menagerie set (Photo: Johan Persson)

Rob Howell, Groundhog Day

Credit: Rob Howell/Groundhog Day

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Isobars Elevations

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Isobars Views

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Old Vic Portal Backwall

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Bedroom Truck

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Houses

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Bedroom Facing Upstage

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Bedroom Facing Downstage

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Sunrise

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Diner

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Car Chase Pt. 1

Set designs for Groundhog Day (Credit: Rob Howell for Groundhog Day)

Car Chase Pt 4 

Christine Jones, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child

Credit: Production photos by Manuel Harlan

The cast of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre (Photo: Manuel Harlan)

Alex Price, Paul Thornley, Noma Dumezweni, Jamie Parker and Poppy Miller in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre (Photo: Manuel Harlan)

Sandy McDade, Anthony Boyle, Sam Clemmett and the cast of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre (Photo: Manuel Harlan)

 

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