Set design for Sea Change, Sadler's Wells Theatre

The dancer and choreographer John Cranko (1927–73) was a prominent figure in twentieth century European ballet, and 'Sea Change', representing both his directorial debut and importantly, his first of many collaborations with John Piper as scenery designer, was premiered in Dublin in July 1949 before going on tour. Of the backdrops Frances Spalding writes, "with the minimum of means [Piper] evoked the environment of the fishing community using touches of strong red, black and blue to offset a backcloth full of romantic gloom. It was unintrusive, yet had a brooding quality and a beauty in its own right" (John Piper, Myfanwy Piper: Lives in Art, OUP 2009, p. 307). The harbour paraphernalia featuring in this design also recalls John Piper's well-documented, 'Modernistic' interest in the visual drama of beach- and harbour-scapes. He famously described these using words and photographs in his article 'The Nautical Style' (Architectural Review 83, January 1938, pp. 1-14).

A similar drawing to the present lot, also dated 1949, is illustrated in S.J. Woods, John Piper: Paintings, Drawings and Theatre Designs, New York, 1955, pl. 233.

We are very grateful to Rev. Dr Stephen Laird FSA for preparing this catalogue entry.

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