Jules & Jim

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Production photos by Steve Gregson

Set and Costume Design for New Writing | Jermyn Street Theatre

Directed by Stella Powell Jones
Written by Timberlake Wertenbaker
Lighting Design by Chris McDonnell
Composition & Sound Design by Holly Khan
Associate Direction and Movement by Elliot Pritchard
Production Management by Lucy Mewis McKerrow

Cast: Patricia Allison, Samuel Collings, Alex Mugnaioni

‘Three friends. Three decades. One great story of love. Jules and Jim live a bohemian existence in pre-war Paris, where despite their different backgrounds and nationalities they vow to live a life in pursuit of love. But with the approaching rumble of war, time is running out. Until one day Kath walks into their lives – wild, dangerous, and irresistible. Together, the three embark on a whirlwind adventure across Europe.’ 

Jules & Jim marked the first production for Stella Powell Jones as Artistic Director if the JST. This meant we wanted to make a clear statement throughout of what this new era of the theatre would be.

Very filmic in its nature, water, jump-cuts of time and dream-sequences heavily featured in this story. Stella and I worked closely designing a space that could dream and transform along with them. The design went through a vast journey, with movement of water always being very key. But we had a breakthrough pulling out the canvas of Kath’s paintings and enveloping the characters within it. As much as the men believe they’ve dreamed her, Kath’s heightened emotions and actions take hold of all of their lives.

Research & Model photos by Isabella Van Braeckel

“Isabella Van Braeckel’s elegant set is a stark white flecked with sinewy Prussian-blue shapes like a rampant Magritte breeding over the walls and floor. They’re both curvily feminine and occasionally like sperm squiggles, lit with shadows by Chris McDonnell. There’s a beautifully aqueous set-reveal too, which dazzles with disturbance.”

Fringe Review

“Isabella Van Braeckel’s airy set design features a single cafe table and white walls painted with blue ripples, which calls to mind Matisse and a holiday atmosphere in keeping with the way the characters live their lives before the war. Costume is also handled thoughtfully: Kath changes into Jules’ clothes, adopting a cool-girl aesthetic, and serious Jules always wears a jacket or a cardigan with a tie, while laid-back Jim is more casually attired.”

Julia Rank, The Stage

“The decades pass, the First World War intervenes, and the two men maintain their curious friendship against a backdrop, designed by Isabella Van Braeckel, that resembles a swirling blue and white tangle of brushstrokes by Matisse”

Clive Davis, The Times

“The White walls of Isabella Van Braeckel’s stylish set have abstract blue lines occasionally hinting at the nose and lips of a woman’s profile and complementing Kath’s artistic career. Chris McDonnell’s lighting powerfully bathes the men in blue as they gaze at the statue who’s smile she shares.”

Chris Wiegand, The Guardian

“It evolves on a cream coloured design stained by Van Braeckel with flowing blue paint trails, a visual representation of the fluidity that permeates the piece”

Cindy Marcolina, Broadway World

“There is a splendid set, all white with blue ribbands painted over it and a couple of translucent panels which slid back and forward placing the action perfectly in some dreamscape”

William Russell, Reviewsgate