04 April 2012

Ross steps 'Into the woods' for Degree Show Project

Ross is available for interviews/photos

Stage to be set up Monday April 9th, dress rehearsals April 10th

The annual Degree Show at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee always produces the dynamic, the unusual and the dazzlingly ambitious. This year student Ross Lesslie is looking to combine all three by producing, directing, designing and acting in a full-scale Stephen Sondheim musical he is staging outdoors next week.

Ross (24), from Dundee, is finishing his degree in Interior & Environmental Design at DJCAD, part of the University of Dundee. His degree show project is a production of the musical `Into The Woods' which he will stage for three nights at the city's Botanic Garden next week.

Having touched on the area of set and production design in his third year, Ross decided that he wanted to take on something of a larger scale for his Honours project.

And so he has now built a large set (approximately 15m long by 5m wide by 2m tall) and various props, obtained the performance licence for the musical, assembled a 17-strong cast and put them through their paces as Director. And he will also appear in the show himself as the Narrator.

"I've always had an interest in theatre and performance, which was the reason I applied to join the course in the first place," said Ross. "We did a small project in third year looking at creating a theatrical installation like a mini set and this has just grown from there.

"It is a lot to take on but, fingers crossed, it all seems to be coming together really well. I really wanted to present my complete vision of the show - how it should be staged, how it should look and so on - which is why I've done so much of the work myself. It is certainly ambitious putting on a big outdoor show like this, but I am really looking forward to it and I've had great support from local companies and friends and family."

Ross first saw a London production of 'Into The Woods' a few years ago and has been a fan of the show ever since. "Ever since I saw it I thought I might be able to do something with it," he said. "To now be able to do that as part of my degree is great. I have been performing for about 14 years and have directed and choreographed shows for local societies but this is something else entirely."

'Into The Woods' is a fairy tale-themed musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine about the experiences of various familiar fairy-tale and fable characters in the woods, as they strive to get their wishes and deal with the consequences of those wishes. Jack sells his cow to the Baker for 'magic' beans, Cinderella's Prince runs off with the Baker's wife and Rapunzel gets trod upon by a giant!

The stage for the production will be installed in the University's Botanic Garden on Monday April 9th, with a dress rehearsal the following evening. The show will then run for three evening performances from April 11th to 13th.

Ross suggests audience members bring their own chairs to the Garden and is hoping that the better weather will return.

Ticket information is available by contacting Ross at intothewoodstickets@hotmail.co.uk or by calling 07912 862954. Come along and enjoy a magical musical in the surroundings of the Garden.

NOTES TO EDITORS

DEGREE SHOW 2012:
Exhibition Preview
Friday 18 May, 2012 6-9pm

Exhibition continues
Saturday 19 May - Sunday 27 May 2012
Monday - Friday 10am - 8pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 4pm

Graduate work on display includes

• animation
• art, philosophy, contemporary practices
• digital interaction design
• fine art
• graphic design
• illustration
• interior environmental design
• jewellery & metal design
• product design
• textile design
• time based art & digital film

For further information please contact +44 (0) 1382 388 828 djcad@dundee.ac.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902