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Play will be “visually stimulating”
by Matt Barton
The Carillon
Eugene Wilk is the costume designer for the winter production Les Liasons Dangereuses at the University of Regina. Finishing up his degree in theatre design, Wilk is the creative spark behind the provocative and erotic costumes of Liasons.
“We didn’t want to reproduce a stuffy period piece,” explains Wilk. The costume designer’s choices easily influence the audience’s perception of actors on stage. The costumes in Liasons have a see-through quality. “[The play] is very sexual, filled with lies and deceit. We wanted the costumes to reflect that.”
Depending on the direction of the light the clothes become transparent. “The transparency of the clothing reveals the truth, which is the body. Their clothing is their mask.”
The plays subtext had alot to do with the choice of colours. The characters are beautiful aristocrats who are rotten on the inside. “I wanted the colours to be like a winter sunset. Cold, harsh, but beautiful all at the same time.” Wilk explores the concept further when he says, “Look at the corset. It’s horrid to the wearer, but visually it’s attractive. There is beauty in cruelty.”
Eugene convocates at the end of this semester. His work on Liasons is his practicum. He does not fail to acknowledge the work of others around him. He is very humble. “I’m the artist, but Cathy Mearns makes it happen. As a collective whole, the acting students are very supportive. We’re like a family. There are alot of people involved in costume creation.”
The play itself “is going to be visually stimulating. It has everything a modern audience want: swords, sex and debauchery. I think people will want to talk about it. We’ve all been hurt, played for a fool, been in love. I can identify with it and I’m a pretty average person,” says the designer.
As he finishes university, Wilk looks back upon his time spent at the University of Regina fondly. “The U of R has been good to me. The program offers the practical experience and the paperwork side.” He grins when asked about the life of a fine arts major. “The arts is never a stable life. It isn’t a nine to five job. I’m confident if you have talent it can open the door. You just have to have passion an drive for what you do.”
The play runs from November 19-23 at the Shu-box theatre.
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