Grand Opera House Belfast Inspired Collection 2021
I was absolutely thrilled to get inside Belfast’s beautiful Grand Opera House today to get a good close up look at some of it’s wonderful decorative motifs. The theatre is currently offering historical tours in the lead up to its reopening in the Autumn. Having come to the end of extensive restoration work I can say it sure looks stunning. It’s a tradition for all the women in our family to take a box for something awesome every Christmas and after lockdown we are very excited to get back to seeing a show. The magical interior inspired some of my little trinkets, past, present and ones still in the making. Learning that there were almost plans to demolish it before it was listed was a shocker. It was great to get some extra insider information and take a few snaps for my preliminary sketches, part of the process before transforming my scrap Irish Linen cloth into twinkling little gifts. I’m very glad I visited as the pineapple carving had passed me by! Here’s the list so far…
elephant - my interpretation of the dramatic carved elephant heads found on the boxes, the heart is for how much they are loved!
glitzy star - representing all the performers and famous personalities to have graced the stage or visited over the years, see the theatre’s website for an extensive and impressive list (this particular star design is not part of the set, a new one is being created though)
nutcracker - my personal favourite
drum - a nod to the orchestra, and all the many pantomime’s productions ..gotta love that drum roll, as well as a reference to the former circus that was located on the site before the theatre was built
swan - from the numerous international world class ballet company performances of ‘Swan Lake' at the theatre over the years
champagne bottle - to enjoy at the glamorous ‘Crush Bar’ at the interval
champagne glass - to accompany the bottle of course
‘Seal of Solomon’ - look up high and you’ll spot the huge star in glass (and future Star of David), a medieval amulet to give theatre protection which must have come in handy as it’s still standing after a being flooded, bombed and once gone on fire
scrolled shell - carved decorative motif on pillars, a popular ornate 19C decorative motif
pineapple - carved decorative motif on the balconies, a popular exotic and opulent decorative colonial motif
To come:
dancing Hindu God Shiva - found gracing the ceiling, working away on this now folks and will keep you posted!
