Watercolour artwork “Lunch on the Bakerloo Line” a series of Designers & Costume Supervisors On The Go by Rachael Ryan during lockdown 2020
ABOUT ME
RACHAEL RYAN
- SET & COSTUME DESIGNER
- ASSOCIATE DESIGNER
- COSTUME SUPERVISOR
Working in the theatre industry since 2013, Rachael moves between design work of her own, associate designing for other designers
and costume supervising.
Recent work includes:
Associate Costume Designer on Six The Musical since 2021 for both Westend & UK Tour.
Set & Costume Design for Thrill Me at Jermyn Street Theatre, where she picked up an Off Westend Award Nomination for Best Set Design.
Recent costume supervision roles include: Legally Blonde The Musical at Regents Park Open Air Theatre, A Christmas Carol at The Royal Shakespeare Company, A Christmas Carol-ish at Soho Theatre.
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Rachael recently completed her Carbon Literacy Training with the SBTD Society of British Theatre Designers. Working to educate and enforce more sustainable ways of designing and working in theatre. Rachael now brings this training into her work, by designing with sustainability and environmental impact in mind.
PRESS:
For Design work
Photo by Steve Gregson
THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD & LOEB STORY
Jermyn Street Theatre 2022
“The setting (Rachael Ryan) is really clever, the design is not only pleasing for the eyes but serves the storytelling flawlessly and captions the essence very well.“ London Theatre Reviews
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“Before the production even begins, we get to marvel at Rachel Ryan’s set. Playful in appearance, it has the versatility of moving blocks to bring charm to the production. The use of multiple props could become tedious or distracting, but having them all neatly displayed on a shelf upstage works a treat”
Everything Theatre
HOUSE OF YES
The Hope Theatre 2019
“Rachael Ryan’s set design perfectly captures the essence of a home whose former splendour has now well and truly faded, even if that message hasn’t quite reached the Pascals themselves. It’s all a bit Addams Family meets Hotel California”
Theatre Things
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
The Hope Theatre 2016
“Rachael Ryan’s set and costume design was extremely effective. The small intimate space of The Hope Theatre was transformed into Truvy’s Beauty Salon with bright floral wallpaper, running water, working electrical sockets and enough 80’s nostalgia that was instantly recognisable. As the characters grew and time passed, the set also evolved subtly as a hot plate was switched out for a new coffee maker as technology evolved. A very smart and functional set design that suited the The Hope Theatre well and never felt cramped or imposing on the audience. So often I see plays or musicals set in the 70s, 80s or even 90s where the costume designer heads to the charity shop and purchases everything, throwing together tired, worn out ill fitted costumes that just look sad. Ryan’s wardrobe was the complete opposite with well researched and character based costumes. With a mix of nostalgia inspired new pieces and costumes that seemed to jump straight from tv show Dynasty all costumes were colourful, bright, fresh and looked new as if the characters has bought them the week before from their favourite local department store. Rachael Ryan’s set and costume were highly effective and transported the audience from London all the way to Louisiana, USA in the 1980’s for Steel Magnolias at The Hope Theatre.”
WestEnd Wilma
Watercolour artwork “Multitasker” a series of Designers & Costume Supervisors On The Go by Rachael Ryan during lockdown 2020
Photo by Steve Gregson
Backstage at Jermyn Street Theatre for Thrill Me 2022
