West Linn High School Performing Arts Program

On The Razzle

Set and Lighting Design (and Direction) by Jon Ares.

February 2001.

Written by Tom Stoppard. Directed by Jon Ares. Costume Design by Cheryl Cantwell. Scenic Painting by Ben Cosloy.

When you have next to no budget, it’s tough to do a farce with tons of locations. One of the hallmarks of a farce is the flying in and out of doors. I got around this by developing the style by NOT using any doors. My inspirations were actual locations in Vienna, and the fine ironwork detail that’s prevalent in the city. (I emulated it with Romex wiring!)

This was such a fun show to direct… all the innuendo and over-the-top comedy at a break-neck pace. Just my thing! This is definitely one of Tom Stoppard’s overlooked jewels.