The team behind a powerful new production tackling themes of women’s rights, resistance and cultural identity has praised the creative partnership it established for a live brief project with the BA (Hons) Set Design for Stage and Screen degree programme at The Northern School of Art’s Hartlepool campus.

TransformersHPL worked with second year student Phoebe Lynch to create a set for its forthcoming production of Firestorm at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre on 29 November, which brings to life the story of Naaba, a young woman whose defiance against forced marriage ignites a dramatic uprising that sweeps through her community.

The Hartlepool-based charity works to promote racial harmony by fostering mutual understanding and respect among diverse cultural groups and the Firestorm play was created and produced by the charity’s founders Georgina Mainoo, who directed the play, and Nomusa Malinga, who is stage manager.

The collaboration with the School allowed students to take a central role in developing the play’s striking set design.

Miss Malinga explained: “As a director my style and approach of directing is avantgarde, more of the exploratory approach, so I gave the concept to the students and allowed them the flexibility to explore their own styles and use their own creative skills. So far they have gone beyond what I imagined and produced the best set with amazing savannah paintings on the flats.

“We were keen to promote the Northern School of Art and align it with the plans that are in place for the multi million pound Production Village planned for the town,” she added. “Engaging the students to explore different forms of creative arts from different cultural settings to reflect the increasingly culturally diverse nature of our town Hartlepool was also paramount.”

Set Design degree Senior Lecturer Tony Shaw worked with second year student Taylor Delaney to create design proposals for the Firestorm production team who commented: “I was really pleased when my work got chosen. It’s been really fun doing parts of the actual painting, it’s acting as a fun break from the big build project we are currently creating for the end of year show.”

The design was then turned into a full scale set by fellow second year student Phoebe Lynch who said, “I heard that a project had come in that required scenic painters and, as I’d done some painting last year, I thought it would be really interesting to revisit that skill.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve managed to accomplish with just the materials we have here at The Northern School of Art. It’s come out so clear and bright, I’m really pleased with the final product.”

Firestorm is at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre in Raby Road on 29 November at 7pm. Tickets are £15 (plus £1.30 booking fee) and are available online using the following link: FIRESTORM 

The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Set Design for Stage and Screen degree is an industry-focused programme, designed to meet the demands of the fast-growing entertainment industries. Guided by a team of experienced practitioners from theatre, film, TV, modelmaking, graphics, illustration and product design, students gain the practical and academic skills needed to excel in diverse creative fields. Further details are available HERE