Opera Scotland

Harry Pont Suggest updates

Set designer.

Even after the development of railways made travel far easier, local theatre managements were still in the habit of providing appropriate scenery from their stock until almost the end of the nineteenth century.  Touring companies almost invariably brought hampers of their own costumes - these fitted the performers and allowed the provincial audiences to see something that approximated to the London show.

Harry Pont spent several years as a resident designer and painter in Dundee, producing scenery for the resident 'stock' players as well as veisiting companies.  If a canvas was particularly well-regarded, or of a subject that might become popular,  it could be added to the theatre's stock, and used again - and again.  If less effective, or of an unusual subject unlikely to be required again, the convas could be painted over again.

These resident artists certainly required the ability to work quickly.