I tried another method of making the rain sticks by using my chopsaw to cut angled slices into the pipe, then inserting pieces of cardboard into the slots. I think it could work very well if the slots were sealed really well with epoxy resin and using plastic instead of card, but the prototype broke when I dropped it, so I don’t think this is strong enough in its present form; the slots make the pipe too weak. Perhaps a different plastic would be less brittle.
I continued with figuring out the challenges of both building and making the tree fit into the spaces that are available for the performances of the play. It’s going to have seven branches that become the trunk, very simple, with many hooks for peaches, twinkle lights concealed within fabric. The heart of the tree is a glowing ball, perhaps made from rope and resin with translucent lycra fabric covering it, suspended within two heptagons in the trunk that give the tree its strength. I’ll exhibit the tree as an installation once the performance has run its course.
We’re going to need to get at least two ironing boards for the show; these will become tables, factory conveyor belts and whatever else we can turn them into, perhaps a bench, or a boat – the sky’s the limit. We’ll add musical elements to them, perhaps, so that they can be part of the factory.
