Skylight

Set in 1990s London, the play showcases the complex dynamic of former lovers Kyra and Tom who have been having an affair for 6 years. It’s been a year after Tom’s wife (Alice) died and 3 years after Alice found out about the relationship prompting Kyra to leave. With Tom being a rich businessman and Kyra a teacher at a disadvantaged school, their lives are at complete opposite ends of each other and set up themes of social class within British society. Considering the time, the play is set in a world post Margaret Thatcher where the working class was heavily negatively affected by her demonizing the working class (raising taxes on the poor but lowering them for the rich, benefiting the rich). These effects are seen through Kyra’s experiences after leaving Tom’s family, because not only does she live in a rundown section of London, but she also works with underprivileged children in an underprivileged part of London.

When reading the play I took notice of its references to water. The characters use metaphors and language that connect to water, and I connected this to the feelings of it being cold, foggy, humanity, and rain. Therefore I wanted my design to feel quite damaged (water damage, molding, discoloration, etc.) Not only is the apartment described as cold and not in the best condition but it is also a reflection of Kyra’s character. To me, she desires to be in a warm environment but she doesn’t allow herself to and instead surrounds herself in this coldness. She also has an attachment to things that are old therefore the apartment reflects that. Along with this feeling of being blue, is the color yellow. In the play, the color yellow is brought up a lot and is in connection to Alice and a feeling of warmth. The color yellow would be shown through the kitchen, however, it is very damaged and does not present the warmth that Kyra craves.