Reviews:Crazy For You "Marshall McMahen’s stage is sensational to view, as distinct venues morph seamlessly into each other." -Cora Li, Vancouverscape "It is no wonder Gateway keeps bringing set designer Marshall McMahen back, with a moveable set that transforms effortlessly between the various scenes, it is no wonder there was an audible appreciation when it first morphed from the exterior of Dead Rock to the interior of Lank’s Saloon (and hotel)." -Mark Robins, Vancouver Presents "Set designer Marshall McMahen also hits a home run. He has constructed a rustic machine of a set that folds and flips, transforming from Broadway to Deadrock and back again. -Colin Thomas, Georgia Straight All The Way Home "With the help of designer Marshall McMahen, she [director Kim Collier] seats the audience of 140 on the stage with the actors, behind the closed curtain of the QE Theatre. In McMahen’s set, playgoers sit at Jay and Mary’s table, on cushions in their living room, and on benches that crowd around the invisible walls of their home." -Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight "...we are certainly close enough to see them sweat, to see the hairs on their arms." -Marsha Lederman, Globe and Mail "We were given such an up-close and personal view that at one point I found myself wanting to reach out and hug one of the cast members that I found sitting at my feet during a particularly emotional scene. That it all felt so natural and un-staged is a testament to Collier and set designer Marshall McMahen’s work." -Mark Robins, gayvancouver.com Chelsea Hotel "The set is stunning and smart, in particular the tower of balled up papers held in by the hotel room’s bed frame, a sort of sleeping mountain of rejected words." -Marsha Lederman, Globe and Mail "Marshall McMahen’s paper set is splendid." -Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight Rosmersholm "Marshall McMahen offers a minimalist set design, with the audience seated on both sides. A stand of young trees on one end is elegance itself." -Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight [The] set design was simple yet extremely beautiful.... A special kudos to the production staff, particularly to Marshall McMahen for his set design. -Ed Farolan, Review Vancouver The Sound of Music "[We] were privy to the majestic sight of Maria... twirling and singing in the Alps – which set designer Marshall McMahen has somehow managed to recreate onstage. It is this joy-inspiring moment that reminds me why the Sound of Music is still the most internationally produced musical in the world." -Review Vancouver "This is a big show, and Footlight has given it impressive sets to match. We get the high stone arches and stained glass of the convent, the deluxe elegance and lavishness of the Von Trapp mansion… and of course, those famous hills! Also, a couple of drop-down banners and flags held on staffs were shockingly effective at transporting the audience to the Salzburg Festival under Nazi occupation. (It was almost too realistic for me – I breathed a sigh of relief when those props finally melted away!) ...the entire Footlight team, have created a “Sound of Music” that really succeeds." -Vancouver Musical Theatre Calendar |
Awards:
Vancouver Mayor's Arts Award, 2014 Emerging Artist, named by Honoree Nancy Bryant. Jessie Richardson Award, 2012 Outstanding Set Design, Small Theatre All The Way Home, Electric Company Ovation Award, 2015 Set Design Crazy For You, Gateway Theatre Ovation Award, 2014 Outstanding Set Design Avenue Q, Arts Club Ovation Award, 2012 Outstanding Set Design Sound of Music, Footlight Theatre Peter Loeffler Memorial Prize Winner Awarded to top UBC Theatre student in each graduating class |
