Nina was invited back to the Royal Shakespeare Company for a fourth year in a row to design video for Prasanna Puwanarajah’s new interpretation of Venice Preserved. Thomas Otway’s best known restauration tragedy tells of corruption and conspiracy in the state of Venice and of the fate of two lovers who come from either side of the establishment.

In this vivid and visceral production, the director takes inspiration from DC comics and a noir aesthetic pervades James Cotteril’s design. Nina supports the look and the narrative with retro tech graphics that describe the plot; club visuals and a laser prison that adds an even sharper dimension to the projected visuals.

Beyond this, as ever in Nina’s work, there is an element of ‘secret’ video usage that supports Jack Knowles’ dramatic lighting design as well as the set that makes rain splash on the black floor, and lights the main scenic wall throughout. She also uses illusory projection mapping to help transform the wall into a breaking wheel in combination with lighting and physical elements such as chains.

George Dennis underscores the action in a filmic and dramatic way and by the end of Part 1 the audience has the sense of being right inside the action.

The team:

Video Programmers – Oli Quintrell and the RSC Video Department

Laser Programmer – Mike O’Driscoll

3D Animation – Paul Roberts

Design and 2D Animation – Nina Dunn

The show has been well received by the press and will run in rep in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon until September 7th 2019.

It is good to see an unjustly neglected work so stirringly restored.

The Guardian ★★★★

moody and captivating in equal measures.

WhatsOnStage ★★★★

stylish staging

The Times ★★★★

few revivals could be more timely – or more equivocal in their prescription for action.

Broadwayworld ★★★★