Incognito

"The brain is a storytelling machine and its really good at fooling us."

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Nick Payne’s Incognito follows three interwoven stories that explore the conflict between science and self, work and relationships, and the legacy we leave behind. In 1955, while performing an autopsy, Thomas Harvey makes a decision that will change his life – he steals Albert Einstein’s brain. HM is one of the most recognisable case study patients in neuroscience. We go back to 1953 to discover the man behind the initials. In 2014, Martha, a clinical neuropsychologist, struggles to balance work and life. Will a new relationship tip the scales? As these storylines merge and blur, we discover what is worth sacrificing in the name of science.

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As one of the co-set designers for this production, I wanted to create a space that was abstract and flexible for the three disparate storylines. We looked into visualisations of the brain and neural pathways, taking inspiration from the colours and shapes in these to create a floor inspired by the study of the brain. The play then unfolds on top of this floor, reflecting how scientists are always building on the work of their predecessors. 

In the centre of the stage, sits a multipurpose block that becomes everything from a piano and a bed, to a kitchen counter and a diner, when the action requires it. This blends into the floor when not in use, allowing the action and the relationships to take precedence.