Song From Far Away
By Simon Stephens
Directed by Kirk Jameson
Designed by Ingrid Hu
Sound design by Julian Starr
HOME Manchester February 2023
Photos by Chris Payne
“Lighting designer Jane Lalljee and designer Ingrid Hu have created a minimalistic, chic apartment onstage with a mixture of warm lighting states, modern furnishings, and a calming neutral colour scheme.” Jess Dalloway, West End Best Friend
“The lighting (Jane Lalljee) is a huge part of what makes Song From Far Away so impactful. It echoes the sentiments of the dialogue and seems to distill the emotions discussed. It perfectly reflects what is happening on stage and lends an ethereal quality to the production as a whole.” Connor Cooper, I love Manchester
“Jane Lalljee’s warm lighting, which could be daybreak or sunset afterglow, diffuses through curtains that, silently in the background, separate and come back together again.” Matt Barton, WhatOnStage
“Atmospheric lighting (Jane Lalljee) and use of snow, haze and wind all perfectly highlight the competing stages of mourning we all recognise.” Peter Ruddick, Theatre Reviews North
“It snows on stage, creating a nostalgic and gorgeous moment. Fireworks are stunningly depicted via a combination of sound, dry ice and an intricacy of clever lighting.” Karen Ryder, Manchestertheatres.com
“Dry ice will often linger across the set and Jane Lalljee’s lighting adds a haunting quality to it, giving it a clearly defined presence, like ink slowly dispersing in water.” Circle and Stalls
“The most visually striking scene, however, had to be the one with fireworks. Willem looked outside as smoke clouded the large gap in between the curtains. Several lights, all different in colour, shone upon (or down at) the smoke, creating a multi-coloured paradise in the deep, black abyss. There were a few brief flashes, representing fireworks in the distance. I was entirely enthralled. In the post-show drinks reception, I had the pleasure of telling Jane Lalljee how much I loved her lighting design.” Jay Darcy, The Mancunion