Dublin Theatre Festival 2013: Tom and Vera, Desperate Optimists and Dublin Theatre Festival

Tom and Vera Set Designer, Dominique Brennan, explains the making of the stage

Tom and Vera, presented by Desperate Optimists and Dublin Theatre Festival, provides audiences with a refreshing and darkly comic take on the impact of the financial crisis on two ordinary lives.

For this production the set designer, Dominique Brennan, was presented with the task of creating a living, breathing forest within the boundaries of the Samuel Beckett Theatre, Dublin. Over the period of two days the space was transformed into a rich and striking woodland filled with beautiful birch trees, budding flora and some lurking wildlife.

“The creation and installation of this set was intriguing but complex,” explains set designer Dominique Brennan. “The greatest challenge was to create each piece in such a way that it both stays and looks alive and well preserved – vibrancy and preservation was key.”

The forest floor was built first. This was carried out in sections using sheets of wood which were glued and covered with grass, soil and a range of forest materials such as mushrooms, daisies, rocks and logs.

Once all the boards were complete the next stage was installing the trees. Thanks to Tree Surgeon Robert Barber an assortment of beautiful trees were sourced from the North West of Ireland. After a few hours of installation the trees were secured and put into place. Some time was spent gathering and arranging organic materials which provided the finishing touches to the intricate forest floor. The final tasks involved planting heather, shrubbery and adding a touch of nature in the form of a curious robin and fox.