Moving On magazine Careers and Qualifications for School Leavers
Over a thousand people work for the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company and one of those people is Sam Reynolds, who works as a scenic carpenter in the RSC’s workshops in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.
Sam works as a scenic carpenter in the team which creates all the sets used in productions at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre in Stratford as well as in other theatres all around the world. He started work as a scenic carpenter in the RSC’s scenic workshop six years ago, when he was 19, having been accepted on to an apprenticeship programme run by the RSC every couple of years. Moving On interviewed Sam to get an insider’s perspective of what it’s really like to do a scenic carpenter apprenticeship at the RSC.
The scenic workshop for
the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Sam took us through what is known as the wood shop, where he and 20 other people are busy at work on the set for this year’s production of Wendy and Peter Pan. The show was a huge success in 2014 and it’s back again this year – but with a whole new set design. This particular set, and the set used for Matilda in 2010, are the two that stand out for Sam, who has been working on multiple projects recently, including new productions of Henry V and Love for Love at the RST and The Swan Theatre. After a tour around the wood shop, Moving On asked Sam some questions about his job.
What does being a scenic carpenter involve?
“Making the scenery in the workshop, then going down to the theatre and fitting it all into place. The actors then begin rehearsing and we have to go back regularly during rehearsals to alter things sometimes, if some parts of the scenery don’t work for the actors.
What scenic carpentry projects are you working on right now?
“Well I’ve been at the theatre for the past week and a half, putting the Love for Love set in at the Swan Theatre. I’ve come in today, picked up bits and bobs, helped out on jobs that are ongoing – but I haven’t made any scenery myself for the past 2 weeks because I’ve been down at the theatre fitting the show. I’ll be back down the theatre tomorrow – I’ve just come off working 9am-10pm shifts on the last fit up and I’ll start that shift pattern again this week. At the moment, here in the scenic workshop, we’re working on the set for Wendy and Peter Pan.
As a scenic carpenter, do you find the set designs are similar for each show?
“No, most of the floors are the same but you’ll always be doing something different. I don’t always just work with wood, sometimes it’ll be polycarbonate or plastics or polystyrenes… Until I get given a drawing I don’t know what I’m going to be doing.
Is there a specific set design that stands out as your favourite?
“Well, Wendy and Peter, as we did that last year and we’re doing it again now. Matilda was a good one but it was never-ending! The production went from Stratford to London then we had to make stuff for the sets going to theatres in Australia and New York. It was a lot of hard work!
Do you do the scenic carpentry for all the theatre sets here – for shows in New York or Japan for example?
“Yes, and then it gets shipped out. We did Henry V in Stratford-upon-Avon, now that’s going to London next week and we’ve just made another set that’s going to America and China.
Do you get to travel with the theatre sets to all these different countries?
“Some RSC carpenters have but this show isn’t going abroad. I was pestering my manager, saying, “If this show goes abroad, I want to go with it!” But there will be the opportunity for me to travel with the sets at some point. The senior guys pick and choose what they want to do but I’m the newbie so I just do as I’m told! Hopefully I’ll be chosen next time though, because I’ve worked my way up now, I’m not a trainee anymore.
Scenic Carpenter, Sam Reynolds
What’s your favourite part of your job as a scenic carpenter?
“It depends! You do get a good sense of accomplishment seeing the sets you’ve created being used in the shows. I’ve always wanted to be a carpenter and the money’s always a bonus.
Did you specifically want to work as a scenic carpenter in the theatre?
“No, I never even thought about working in a theatre. I heard about the job and I ummed and aahed, thinking, “Do I go for it?” because originally, I wanted to be a bench joiner. But the work dried up when I was looking for jobs 6 years ago and I couldn’t find a job anywhere. I went to college for a year and thought I’d apply for the RSC apprenticeship, see what it’s like and luckily, I got it and I’ve never left!
Would you like to work in another theatre, or as something other than a scenic carpenter?
“I’d never say ‘never’, but I’m happy here at the moment. Everyone always says that once you’re here you’ll never leave! It’s a very good job.
Did you study to be a scenic carpenter at college?
“No, I studied bench joinery. The first year I did carpentry and bench joinery and then my tutors said that joinery suited this job better. The RSC’s scenic carpentry workshop isn’t like a normal joinery shop where you’re making tables and chairs – it’s totally different.
Did your college course help you to acquire the skills for being a scenic carpenter?
“My college course helped me a lot but it didn’t have much to do with what I do here now. It did help me, because I knew how to work the machines and about all the different joints etc., but what I did at college, I don’t really do here.
What do you think made you stand out against all the other candidates and helped you secure the scenic carpenter apprenticeship?
“I’m not sure! There were so many applicants – no matter whether they had all the qualifications needed, if their attitude was wrong they were gone. I was just lucky I guess!
Did you do any relevant work experience which helps you with your work as a scenic carpenter?
“Not in carpentry no, I spent a year working as a landscape gardener on J.K Rowling’s property in Scotland and the guys let me do any woodwork jobs that came up, such as helping with the board walk. The garden was huge the land is just unreal. I used to fly there every Monday morning and fly back every Friday night, for 6 months.
What advice would you give to young people who would like a career as a scenic carpenter?
“Stay persistent. I went two years without finding a carpentry job and I was just about to give up and say, “Right, I need a career change.” Then I got this job! Just keep looking and applying. It’s probably easier now, as there is a lot of work out there in carpentry.
Would you recommend doing a scenic carpenter apprenticeship?
Definitely. Those qualifications mean everything now. To get another job anywhere, everyone wants those recognised qualifications – and you get paid for it. It’s a lot of learning on the job which is great as you’re getting real-world experience.”
If you’re interested in doing a scenic carpenter apprenticeship at the RSC there are a few new openings coming up in the scenic workshop and in electronics. Details about the apprenticeships, which are being developed with the generous support of The Buffini Chao Foundation, will be advertised in full on the RSC website from November 2015. Keep your eyes peeled for information on RSC open days too – they’re a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and test your skills at one of the most famous theatres in the world.
For more information about what’s on at the RSC this season, go to: www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/
