Meet the Designer behind Robin Hood!
After graduating from Nottingham Trent University with a First in (BA) Theatre Design, Caitlin was the winner of the Evening Standard Future Theatre Fund in 2021, and has continued to gain recognition with a double-nomination for Best Designer at The Stage Debut Awards; a nomination for the Arts Foundation Futures Award in Theatre; Finalist for The Naomi Wilkinson Award For Stage Design and The JMK Awards; as well as being a Creative Associate at Jermyn Street Theatre and a Resident Designer at New Diorama Broadgate.
Her work as a set and costume designer has seen main stages, studios and unconventional spaces across the country. Recent collaborations include The Bush, National Theatre, Hull Truck Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, Soho Theatre, Arcola Theatre, Northern Opera, Southbank Centre, Theatre503 alongside many others. She loves to design for shows with a social and political motivation, using her designs to walk a line between reality and abstraction.
We are very lucky to have Caitlin returning to the Dukes to help bring Robin Hood to life. Caitlin was the designer behind last year's incredible production of The Wizard of Oz and in the interview below you can get a cheeky sneak peek at what she is cooking up for this year's adventure...
What can audiences expect to see from the set and costumes for Robin Hood?
Fun, frivolity, disguises…and danger! I want us all to fall into a medieval dream and be swept away in the action and fantasy.
With the Park being SO big, where do you start the design process when being handed the job to design a Park Show?
You really need to know that what you are designing isn’t going to get lost amongst the beautiful background – you have to work with it, not fight it. For me, it is about going big and bold – with vibrant colours popping out against the greens of the park. And I love colour so it’s a good excuse to go for it! In the costumes I like to emphasise the silhouettes of bodies and create depth with lots of textured fabrics. You also have to think about the journey from start to finish – how do these spaces each feel unique but also live in the same world?
Do you have any films or media etc that you have taken inspiration from for Robin Hood?
I have of course watched some of the classic Robin Hoods but have very much wanted to steer our own way. A lot of inspo has actually come from ren-faires and festivals. I love people’s inventiveness and how we can mix period styles with contemporary materials and the vibrancy of bringing people together in another world.
If you could wear any of the costumes for a day which one would you choose?
Can I say all of them? But it’s got to be Jen – I would wear that every day of the week! But I also want to swish around in the Sheriff’s cape.
How would you describe this version of Robin Hood in 3 words?
Feisty, vibrant and humorous.
Robin Hood runs from 17th July - 23rd August
Click HERE to visit Caitlin Mawhinney's Website
Read an Interview with the Director behind Robin Hood
