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Gail McCance Set Design

Gail McCance was born on December 18, 1924 in North Vancouver. A set designer on Broadway, a production designer for the movies, a veteran of 90 Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) productions, and an original founder of the Vancouver Opera Association (VOA), these set designs represent a significant portion of the work he completed between 1950 and 1970. Contained within are original sketches, watercolors, blueprints, and photographs, produced in the period when McCance transitioned from working for TUTS and began producing material for the brand-new VOA. These one-of-a-kind items are but a small part of a much larger body of work, most of which has since been lost. Take this opportunity to avail yourself of a rare look into the nascent days of the now illustrious Vancouver Opera Society. Many thanks go to Tom Carter, present owner of the set designs, who kindly lent these materials to this project, and enabled their being shared with the general public.
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"Carmen" V.O.A., recto
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"Carmen" V.O.A., recto
A black-and-white photograph of a crowded stage, with a number of opera characters crowded into a large town courtyard. The buildings in the background have a strange and irregular geometry, and the dress of the characters is decidedly 19th century…
"Carmen" V.O.A., verso
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"Carmen" V.O.A., verso
The backside of a black-and-white photograph. It reads '"Carmen" V.O.A. 1960' and 'Photo by Barry Glass'.
Untitled Photograph [Faust Courtyard], recto
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Untitled Photograph [Faust Courtyard], recto
A black-and-white photograph of a a half-darkened opera set depicting a smll courtyard ringed by high stone walls underneath the watchful gaze of a large angel statue. A man in a white shirt and dark trousers looks out from stage-right, into an…
Untitled Photograph [Faust Courtyard], verso
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Untitled Photograph [Faust Courtyard], verso
The backside of a black-and-white photograph, showing where tape once held a transparent cover in place. All that remains are darkened stains from that adhesive and the number '16' scrawled in pencil.
Untitled Photograph [Faust Interior], recto
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Untitled Photograph [Faust Interior], recto
A black-and-white photograph of a gloomy opera set, depicting the interior of a lavish room with high Corinthian columns interspaced by tall, vaulted windows. A man in a white shirt and dark trousers dominates center stage, while a darkly dressed…
Untitled Photograph [Faust Interior], verso
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Untitled Photograph [Faust Interior], verso
The backside of a black-and-white photograph, showing where tape once held a transparent cover in place. All that remains are darkened stains from that adhesive and the number '16' scrawled in pencil.
Untitled Photograph [Smiling Woman]
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Untitled Photograph [Smiling Woman]
A black-and-white photograph of a smiling woman touching the side of a wooden horse and staring off into the distance. A tent appears to be erected around her, and light filters through to reveal her ornate dress. Taken of an unknown production by…
Untitled Photograph [Spotlit Stage]
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Untitled Photograph [Spotlit Stage]
A black-and-white photograph of a stage with a man and woman sitting on a bench, illuminated by spotlight. A painted road in the background stretches towards a darkened horizon with snow-capped mountains. From the point of the photographer it is…
Untitled Photograph [Tosca, Bedroom]
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Untitled Photograph [Tosca, Bedroom]
A black-and-white photograph of a darkened opera set, depicting a small town square. Faint light filters in through a dirty skylight, while a man in dark clothing sits at a table at stage-left. Second of a set of three. Taken of a 1962 production of…
Untitled Photograph [Tosca, Courtyard]
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Untitled Photograph [Tosca, Courtyard]
A black-and-white photograph of a half-darkened opera set, depicting a dusty courtyard ringed with a low brick and iron wall. At stage-left the sign on a building reads "Hotel du Midi," while barren trees reach into the shadows at stage-…
Untitled Photograph [Tosca, Dark Square]
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Untitled Photograph [Tosca, Dark Square]
A black-and-white photograph of a darkened opera set, depicting a small town square. Faint light filters in through a dirty skylight, while a man in dark clothing sits at a table at stage-left. Second of a set of three. Taken of a 1962 production of…