What: A cake that frosts itself; a Tiffany-style standing lamp that emerges from a carpet bag; an entire kitchen that falls apart and reassembles itself in a snap. These are just a few examples of props designer Marjorie Lusignan’s wizardry in a new production of “Mary Poppins.’’
Where: Wheelock Family Theatre, through Feb. 28. 617-879-2300, www.wheelock familytheatre.org
“I like tricking things out,’’ Marjorie Lusignan says with a smile. “It’s fun to make things look like something they’re not.’’
For the past eight years, Lusignan has been designing, creating, or assembling all of the props for Wheelock Family Theatre shows — everything from the glittering eyes of the dragon in “Shrek’’ to the treasures in “The Little Mermaid.’’ Working with a budget of less than $500, Lusignan creates, on average, around 20 props for each show. That, of course, doesn’t count the multiple handmade pieces she makes, like the dozens of breakable vases used in “Mary Poppins’’ — one for each performance, and extras for rehearsals.
Lusignan, who spent 25 years in advertising as an art director and illustrator, says she has a knack for gears, levers, and springs. And, like any great magician, that’s all the clues she’ll offer about her “Mary Poppins’’ magic.
“If I can give the actor something more than they expect, it helps them give a better performance,’’ she says.
Dan Reardon, who plays Mary Poppins’s friend Bert, says a lamplighter he uses is one of his favorite props. “I only use it for a minute, but the effect is magical,’’ he says. “Marge’s attention to detail is amazing.’’
One hour before the opening-night performance, Lusignan has her glue gun in hand, calmly making last-minute repairs.
“The props take a lot of abuse,’’ she says with a laugh as she revives a sagging kite that goes flying in the second act, “so durability is a consideration in the design.’’
Lusignan says she spends about three months creating the props for each Wheelock show, starting by looking in her attic for pieces that might be modified. A basket can be refashioned to become part of a baby carriage, while a table used in another show can be reworked to become a shop display piece. “Over the years, I’ve gathered a lot of bits and pieces,’’ she says. “It’s fun thinking about new ways to reimagine them to serve the needs of a production.’’
But if she can’t find a piece that is appropriate, she doesn’t hesitate to start from scratch. For “Mary Poppins,’’ Jane’s clown doll, Miss Andrew’s birdcage, and a magnificent fish statue are all pieces she designed and created just for the show.
TERRY BYRNE
Terry Byrne can be reached at trbyrne@aol.com.
