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Chris Crabb ----- For Immediate Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - March 7, 2000 - R.A. Reed Productions, a Portland-based scenic company, recently constructed a set design for the production of “War and Peace,” an opera based on the epic historical novel written by Leo Tolstoy. The opera is a joint venture between the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia; the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, London; and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. “War and Peace” will debut at the Mariinsky Theatre March 11, with shows on the 13 and 14 as well. The opera is directed by Andrei Konchalovsky and the set is the work of Russian theatrical designer George Tsypin, whose acclaimed work has been seen at many of the world’s major opera houses as well as on Broadway, the concert stage, television and film. Tsypin selected Reed Productions to implement his design; the two parties have previously worked together on several projects. Because the entire set had to appear to be made of glass, Reed Productions had to do a great deal of research and development before anything could be built. The initial challenge was producing eight clear columns measuring 16-inches in diameter by 28-feet in length. After experimenting with numerous products, Reed Productions utilized a 1/8-inch PETG to produce solid, unseamed columns. The second formidable task was to build capitals for the columns. The first version was artistically beautiful, but at 600 lbs. proved too heavy to hang in the Mariinsky Theatre. A second set was built out of a lighter-weight plastic. Reed Productions was also responsible for building a curtain track and computer control system for the six tracks, which in turn controls the movements of the columns on and off stage. Finally,
the company had to build seven churches that appeared to be made of
glass. The company submitted numerous samples that were reviewed by
Tsypin. The final product consisted of the right combination of custom
triangular aluminum extrusion, mirrored acrylic, clear vinyl, and
an elaborate rigging system that hung each section of the church at
an angle to the next piece from top to bottom. “War and Peace” will run at the Metropolitan Opera House in the 2001-2002 season, and will debut at the Royal Opera House following that engagement. Reed Productions offers set design and construction and staging for the theatre, entertainment, concert, trade show and sporting industries. The company has executed successful set designs for the American Ballet Theatre, Chicago Lyric Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, MTV Music Television, Salt Lake City Opera, Tacoma Opera and Washington National Opera. R.A.
Reed Productions is located at 955 N. Columbia Blvd., Building A.
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