two gents and a dog
Building the World of The Two Gentlemen of Verona – Metalwork, Scenic Craftsmanship… and One Very Well-Trained Dog
This summer, The Two Gentlemen of Verona took to the stage at the RSC’s The Other Place with a vibrant new 90-minute adaptation — and we were proud to help bring the world of Verona and its modern set to life.
Our team had the pleasure of fabricating and installing the show’s metal gantry, overhead walkway and full scenic floor, working closely with the creative vision of designer Francis O’Connor. The result? A striking, multi-level performance space that allowed the cast (and one particularly charming four-legged performer) to shine.
Crafting the Metal Gantry & Walkway
From the outset, the brief required a structure that was:
✅ Visually bold
✅ High-performing under movement, music, and choreography
✅ Safe
We engineered a steel gantry and overhead walkway that not only supported actor-musicians and dynamic movement, but also blended seamlessly into O’Connor’s design aesthetic. Our fabrication team focused on:
Precision welding and finishing to achieve clean architectural lines
Load-tested support systems for the elevated performance areas
Integrated handrails and access points suitable for fast entrances and exits
The installation was completed within a tight window, allowing the RSC team ample time for rehearsal with the full set in place.
A Scenic Floor Built for Storytelling
The show floor plays a key role in transporting audiences.. To achieve this, our scenic team created a scenic durable surface with depth and tonal detailing that responds beautifully to Derek Anderson’s lighting design.
The floor was finished with:
🎨 Layered scenic painting for dimension and character
🧵 Specialist sealants to withstand high footfall, musical equipment and movement
🐾 …and, most uniquely — consideration for a dog’s performance needs
Yes, this set had an extra design requirement we don’t see every day. One of Shakespeare’s most famous stage directions involves a dog — and this production proudly continued the tradition. With an acting dog as part of the company, the scenic floor required additional planning.
Crab - Launce’s dog, played by Lossi Photography Credit: Helen Murray
The canine performer went through training not only for stage movement and cues, but also to navigate very specific zones of the floor.
The result? A relaxed, confident four-legged cast member who won the audience over night after night — without stealing any unintended scenes.
Production Photography: Helen Murray
A Production We’re Proud To Have Stepped Into
The RSC’s adaptation has been warmly received, with particular praise for the energy of the actor-musician company and the clarity of storytelling. We’re thrilled to have contributed to a design that supports that vision — from the steel framework above to the scenic floor beneath every foot (and paw) on stage.
Projects like this are a reminder of why we love what we do: collaboration, craftsmanship, creativity… and occasionally, dog training notes added to the technical brief.
