Graphic Journey Blog

Richard Hudson: King of the jungle

This is the theatre designer Richard Hudson. He is known for his stunning opera and ballet sets. 

The Pique Dame set for the Lyric Opera of Chicago

Set for the NY Met's production of Armida

But he is more widely known as the designer of the sets and costumes for The Lion King.

Above Hudson's striking sets for The Lion King

To date, The Lion King has been seen by over 65 million people around the world.

I recently recorded an interview with Richard about his life and work. You can listen to it here.

If you are interested in production design for film or theatre there are more of my interviews available below:

Ken Adam

Alex McDowell

Stuart Craig

Timothy O'Brien

Living theatre

Last week I watched the fascinating Mark Lawson interview with Jimmy McGovern - a writer that I have a lot of time for. But I was very disappointed in McGovern’s view of theatre. He said that it bored him rigid. That everybody appeared to be ‘acting’ and far too interested in projecting their voices to the back of the theatre. What he failed to grasp is the fact that ‘live’ theatre is a completely different animal from that of a film or TV play. If you go to the theatre in the hope that it’s going to be like cinema, better to stay home and slump on the sofa in front of the box.

At its best, theatre is a magical experience shared between the actors and audience. There is a mesmerising quality of beautifully honed prose delivered with the precision and sensitivity of a well-trained voice. It is a wonderful thing to experience and has been since time immemorial.

 

Photograph: Tristram Kenton

 Last night at the Almeida Theatre in Islington I witnessed and experienced that special quality that is theatre in their new production of Hendrik Ibsen’s The Master Builder starring Stephen Dillane and Gemma Arterton. I would urge Mark Lawson to take Mr. McGovern - he just might change his view.

Photo: Simon Annand

Read Michael Billington’s excellent reviewof The Master Builder here.

 

Silence is Golden.

Went to see 'Harper Ragan' at the Cottesloe Theatre and realized just how powerful silent moments can be in theatre. You can feel the electricity in the air. A moving and original piece of work...

If you go, I don’t think you should come back.

On a startlingly bright Autumn night in 2006 Harper Regan walked away from her home and her husband and her daughter and she kept walking. She told nobody that she was going. She told nobody where she was going. She put everything she ever built at risk. For two lost days and nights, until it looked as though her entire life might unravel, she didn’t turn back.

From Uxbridge to Stockport to Manchester and back again, Simon Stephens’ new play navigates the UK, exploring family, love and delusion; and how to live in a godless universe.

‘Sharp shines in Simon Stephens' dark picture of England. I relished every second of Lesley Sharp's performance.'
Guardian

‘Bittersweet drama of family life... genuinely uplifting.'
Daily Telegraph