OF ALL the theatre sets she has created over the last decade. or so, two-time Jessie Award winner Pam Johnson insists she doesn’t have a favorite. “1 usually feel good about everything I’ve done,"’ the Deep Cove designer said during an early morning interview. ‘‘I’ve had to yush for what I believe in.” Largely self-taught, Johnson is Vancouver’s busiest and best- known set and costume designer. A Studio 58 graduate and resident designer for the Vancouver Playhouse, she has transformed stages into fiery battlegrounds, cl- ~egant dining rooms and the art world of modern Paris. But none matches the experi- ence of designing her own wed- ding gown. It may not require the same amount of research or lengthy discussions with a director, but dreaming up the perfect ‘“‘Johnson dress” definitely had its moments. ~“I could never imagine myself as ‘the white, virginal, blushing bride,” says Johnson, who is engaged to be married to Walker Fanning, ‘fa. real normal non- theatre person who has a pension pian,” on Sept. 20. “*It (the dress) kind of sticks out like a tutu,”’ she says holding out her arms to give an idea of how the bottom half of the garment will look, ‘‘so it’s hiding these hips,”’ she laughs. The Johnson frock is definitely not your average wedding gown. The color — it’s black — and daring hemline — apparently *¢yery. short’? —— would set Miss _ Manners reeling. But then the 37-year-old bride-to-be has been known to ~ follow her own vision. . Like her sets, it was important that her dress convey the essence Sunday, July 26, 1992 - North Shore News - 33 Smart sets Deep Cove set designer is set to tackle the director’ s chair By Evelyn Jacob News Reporter of Pam Johnson and be in- novative. Speaking of innovative, she reveals that the gown will boast the latest in modern technology. It’s been perfectly timed so that during the wedding kiss, her entire dress, train and all, will light up — a wedding gift compliments of Next to her marriage, the big- gest change for Johnson will come in the fall when she trades her sketch pad for the director’s chair. She’s directing a one-woman touring production with Carousel Theatre called Dying to be Thin, a drama that explores bulimia. “It will make you laugh and think, but hopefully not throw up.” Why the switch? She says she didn’t want to get into a rut. SEE ES 44 The Johnson frock is definitely not your average wedding gown. The color — it’s black — and daring hemline — apparently “very short” — wouid set Miss Manners reeling. 99 friend and lighting director Gerald King. “The technology is going to be very innovative,’ she says, grinn- ing. “I'll be wired, but I don’t think I'll have to wear a huge bat- tery pack or anything like that.” For Johnson, her wedding will be ‘“‘just a day off.’? There’s no time for a honeymoon —- it’s back to work the very next day on Ber- nard Shaw’s The Millionairess, which opens The Playhouse’s fall season. And with four jobs currently on the go it doesn’t leave much time to prepare for the big day. She was up until 2 a.m. putting the final touches on costumes she designed for the Arts Club’s latest production of Blues in the Night, and she is in the midst of gather- ing ideas for a new play-reading series at the Aris Ciub next month. “I don’t want to be the kind of designer who pulls out the same tricks. [t’s important for me to keep challenging myself and ex- perimenting. And a lot of people in the theatre community believe | can do it.”’ Apparently. She already had to turn down an offer from Vic- toria’s Belfry Theatre to direct a new Canadian play, because it clashed with another design pro- ject for the playhouse. Everything seems to be happen- ing at once, but Johnson says she’s not overwhelmed or scared of trying something new. “Who knows?’ she says, sup- porting her head with both hands. “I might be the world’s worst director."* And the wedding? ‘‘My mother says l’m more excited aboui direc- ting.’’ NOTICE TO MOTORISTS TRANS CANADA HIGHWAY (First Avenue to Brunette) SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC The Ministry of Transportation and Highways advises that there will be single lane traffic on the Trans Canada Highway between First Avenue and the Brunette Interchange from Sunday July 26 to Tuesday August 25. Single lane traffic is needed io enable crews to repave the highway and will be in effect as follows: Sunday to Thursday 14:00 PM - 5:00 AM Motorists should expect delays or plan to use an alternative route. Note: the eastbound lanes will be repaved first, followed by the westbound | lanes. No work wilil be done on Sunday August 2 and Monday August 3. For § further information, please call the Ministry’s 24-hour road report at 525-4997 (Greater Vancouver) or *4997 (BC Cellular/Cantel). Province of British Columbia Ce ee Ministry of Transportation and Highways "NEWS photo Noli Lucente PAM JOHNSON, Vancouver's busiest set designer, sits outside her Deep Cove home with a sketch of her wedding dress, which she designed herself. the same fabulous savings on Levolor Pleated Skylights Hurry! Offer ends July 30/92 FREE regular Valance with every Levolor® vertical blind order. A SHADE BETTER Specializing in Blinds and Draperies for over 7 years 1877 Marine Dr., N. Van. - 984-4404 #4-38918 Progress Way, Squamish 892-5857 Whistler 932-6617