Tom de Freston’s work draws extensively from Theatre. As such a number of Theatre companies have comissioned Tom to produce paintings, design costumes and to work with them as a creative director.
Macbeth
Macbeth was the ADC mainshow for the Edinburgh Fringe 2011 and received rave reviews. Tom de Freston was involved in the design and build of the set and the production of a body of new paintings which were then used as direct inspiration for the play itself, which was directed by Max Barton
Sodom
The Movement’s latest play was a sell out success at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe. Tom de Freston collaberated with the company to produce a body of paintings and drawings. “SODOM features specially-commissioned fine art by Tom de Freston, whose paintings have been praised by figures as varied as the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Director of the Tate. The play will … Continue reading
Catastrophes – An Evening of Theatre and Art
Tom de Freston was specially commissioned to make new paintings for this event in response to the conflict in Israel and Palestine. He was then invited to chair a conversation at the opening with Dr. Ang Swee Chai. The paintings produced were not specifically political, but concerned with the human consequences of the situation. The paintings were called: ‘Blind Father’ and ‘Dead … Continue reading
The Tempest
The Movement Theatre company comissioned me to make images for their Nationally Touring production of the Tempest. Tom de Freston was commissioned to supply the art work for the Production. Winners of Cambridge University’s Thomas Nashe award, The Cambridge Student Play of the Year 2009 and shorlisted for the RSC Other Prize, this young company have drawn comparison with the … Continue reading
Revenger’s Tragedy
Tom de Freston designed all of the costumes for this production of REvenger’s Tragedy. The theatre company comissioned him as they wanted the clothes to look like the surfaces of his paintings. The director said of my work: “When I commissioned Tom de Freston I asked him to look at Giorgio de Chirico’s costumes for Diaghilev’s Le Bal. Here simple … Continue reading
Napoleon’s shadow- Fourth plinth
From 2-3am on the 24th of June Tom de Freston took part in the One and Other Fourth Plinth project. Dressed in boxers, socks and a paper crown, he arrived armed with a wooden sword, water pistol and a megaphone. He interviewed his alter ego for the Varsity newspaper…(full interview)