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Between 1963 and 1966 I trained in theatre design under Richard Negri’s inspired tuition. Coming from a background with little serious interest in Theatre, I developed an intense interest, kindled both by the college environment and by constant theatre visits, which in the 60s were affordable even on a student grant. It was a period of change in tastes, and painted pictorial scenery was giving way to a much more suggestive 3D approach with lighting really becoming a major factor in the design process.
The approach to design was very text based. We were encouraged to relate to the plays which we designed in a personal way and as far as possible to work without reference to the written stage directions. Rather than concentrating on the broad sweep I found myself starting from the smallest detail, whatever stuck the strongest chord, maybe the style of a particular piece of furniture and work out from there only putting on the stage that which was truly seen. It is an approach that I still adhere to and it is in marked contrast to some of the other design schools that stressed a broader, abstract, architectural
method.