Laura Jane Stanfield - Theatre Set & Costume Designer

Laura is a graduate of Wimbledon School of Art. In addition to being a Designer, she also works regularly with the English National Opera costume department. Most recently, she supervised the acclaimed revival of Lucia di Lammermoor.

Set and Costume Designer credits include The Magic Flute and The Cunning Little Vixen (Royal Academy of Music), The Turn of the Screw (Barnes Festival), Cosi Fan Tutte and La Finta Giardiniera (Ryedale Festival) and the UK Premiere of Philip Glass’ The Juniper Tree.

Costume Design credits include The Long Christmas Dinner and A Dinner Engagement (Guildhall School of Music & Drama), Dubai-Rostov-New York (National Opera Studio), English Eccentrics, Riders to the Sea and Savitri (British Youth Opera), Landscapes (English National Opera), La Bohéme and The Magic Flute (Nevill Holt Opera), Macbeth (Northern Ireland Opera/Welsh National Opera), The Flying Dutchman, Noye’s Fludde and Tosca (NI Opera), The Three Wishes (Second Movement) and the world premiere of Stephen Barlow’s King at Canterbury Cathedral.

the theatre ghostlight

Just before the lights go down at the end of the night the ghost light is placed centre stage close to the orchestra pit. It is usually a standard lamp with a naked bulb. This light is left on overnight and at weekends. Besides the practical uses in guiding you through the auditorium or to stop you falling into the pit, it also holds a supernatural significance. It is for the theatre ghost. It is believed the ghosts of actors passed like to perform at night. Even the Palace Theatre, London permanently reserves two seats in the balcony for it’s ghosts!