By Isabella P, Year 10 Journalist Leader 

Often the unsung heroes of plays, backstage are essential to any production. Perhaps consider set, props, costume, acting, all as puzzle pieces that make for an awe inspiring performance. The question rises: what brings it all together? I’d like to suggest the lighting. 

With access to a lighting board, spotlights, the NHEHS lighting crew sit through all the rehearsals, meticulously planning cues and elevating the drama. For the Rover, the overarching themes were that of feminism and 90’s rave. 

Much of the lighting was inspired by the school’s poster of The Rover. Shivali G (Year 10) – designer of the poster – was influenced by Patrick Nagel’s work on the Duran Duran Rio album cover and the 80’s new romantics. She wanted to convey the disco but also an androgynous unknown rover. With the background portrait not conforming to predominantly female or male stereotypes we get our first glimpse of the mysterious ‘wanderer’ after which the play is named. Dramatic strips across the face of the poster were reflected in the lighting, sharing a little bit of 80’s disco with the audience.

The most basic objective for stage lighting is to illuminate the performers and highlight all the work that has gone into costume, props and set design. For the Rover, the lighting perfectly encapsulated the comedic tone, transporting the audience into the world of 90s disco. With the UV rays illuminating little details in the set, the red pulses of light for the fight scenes together with the 90s music,  the lighting and music team created a memorable emotional experience for the audience as well as conveying the storyline of the play. The NHEHS production of The Rover just would not have been the same without them.