Set-dressing to impress!

There is a real trick to making a place look the part to such an extent that characters can get really immersed in another world. Here is a sneaky look into how a very ordinary wooden barn was converted into a plush and exotic souk interior. This was for the Mythlore new lands 3: 2014. The site is Candlestone.

Rights Mark Cordory

Here are the before shots, the counter to the right is inbuilt as is the stove, the open door you can see leads to the kitchen.

Rights Mark Cordory

..the inevitable mountain of kit arrives, this is the other end of the barn, taken from the stove, including the main doors.

Rights Mark Cordory

Rights Mark Cordory

 Left - here we see the process of pinning cloth to the roof and walls, this obviously requires time and a LOT of cloth.

Rights Roy Smallpage

 And now the finished location. The Saracen's Head in the Balsora Souk. It would not be difficult to imagine yourself in a truly exotic place, warmed by the sand-laden winds and the salt smell of the gulf. 

And of course to finish the location all other senses must be treated - music, light, food and entertainments and exotic smells of incense.

Rights Ian Heath

Rights - Roy Smallpage

 The lights are natural and soft through lanterns.


Food can add a great deal to an event, this is a shot of the main "feast." Catering by the 

Rights Mark Cordory

award winning Kellie Sweeney.

And what could be more appropriate than alluring gossamer veiled dancers?

I think you will all agree the transformation is startling! Well done to all the team involved.

Rights Roy Smallpage

Although this trilogy is completed there are thoughts to visit these lands again in new stories. If you are eager to join the next instalment from this talented team sign up to the facebook group and watch for further details Mythlore LRP/LARP