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National Theatre Posters - Wolfson Gallery, National Theatre

This exhibition at the National Theatre Gallery is curated by design critic and writer Rick Poynor and it explores poster design from 1963 to the present: celebrating graphic design history. The National Theatre is a world-class theatre that stages a broad range of productions in London and tours extensively across the UK. The exhibition includes original posters, interviews with past and current Art and Creative Directors and will demonstrate the changes in the design process over the last 50 years which explores the evolution of poster design at the National Theatre, displaying many classic examples. The theatres graphics design team is currently ran by Creative Director Ollie Winser. From 1963 the National Theatre has used posters to promote and give visual expression to the enormous range of productions that it stages and the exhibition reflect the changing ideas about the most effective way to communicate graphically with audiences.





The exhibition set is successful for the theme of production and media. The low ceiling and dark warm lighting mimics the lighting in a theatre during shows which emphasises the anticipation and mystery felt during shows. The white walls and frames in which the posters are displayed on is simple and therefore ensures no distractions to the posters but the walls also juxtaposes the darker lighting. The white walls creates high light which is created when a surface is at a right angle to a light source, the smoother the surface the more distinct the high light which draws attention the posters. The repetition of the rectangular shapes through out the exhibition ties the exhibition together. The muted colours from light grey to the muted blue hue allows the information in the black sans serif font to read clearly. The muted hues are modern and tidy but the random composition of the rectangular shapes posits the design process and the individual processes that becomes the design process which is seen in the exhibition title when three rectangles are fitted together like a puzzle to show the title of the exhibition. The over all set creates a 1980's to 1990's feel from the large black stands showcasing posters to the leather chair in the background which creates a 'box office' feel which represents the more recent history of theatre.



This theatre poster particularly caught my eye. It's for the William Shakespeare play Coriolanus. The poster is designed by Ken Briggs in 1971. Briggs early posters expressed the theatre’s identity through consistent typography however the later posters placed more emphasis on the plays as seen here. Coriolanus is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, written between 1605 and 1608. The play is based on the life of the legendary Roman leader Caius Marcius Coriolanus as seen in the poster clearly. The central composition and black shadows around the illustration of Coriolanus draws attention to the the focal point. The black shadow and tone used on the illustration is successful and is a technique i would like to try as it posits themes of threat and mystery associated with tragedies.


The illustration also holds many hidden details such as the mask above Coriolanus head which could infer the bright hues in the background as masks typically hide identity which is represented through the black shadows which contrasts the background, however masks in Shakespeares plays are consistently used to represent celebration for example a 'masked ball' which also explains the bright hues used. The background of warm bright hues posits themes of a rainbow aswell.


The minimal colour palette links to the fact the play is a traditional play inferring vintage design seen through the use of the illustration and the fact no block colours are used which is typical of contemporary design. The pink highlights on the central illustration ties the piece together and softens the harsh black shadows. The colour palette used is ironic for a tragedy as it originally promotes emotions of youth and positivity but it also grabs attention which is a essential marketing point.


The use of typography on theatre posters is important in order to advertise the performance therefore the sans serif yellow font is clear and easy to read. The fact the font curves around the lines in the background is effective. The layers of the elements is significant as it creates dept and emphasises the heirarchy of the illustration. I would perhaps use a bolder font and more traditional font to infer the themes of Shakespeare and to present more information about the play as a whole.


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