An ingenious revolving stage to switch between complex sets has been devised for the Company of Ten’s upcoming production of Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime.

The brainchild of director Lee Harris, the revolving device is shaped like a triangle and turns several times during the production to reveal a total of six scenes, with all the set changes taking place out of view of the audience.

Lee said: “Whenever I go to the theatre myself, I want to be completely taken in by what I’m seeing so I knew I didn’t want a blank stage,

“I wanted décor and furniture that was evocative of the 1920s, the era in which we’ve set the play. But there are a lot of scenes in this script, so I had to come up with a way of moving between them quickly without the audience seeing what was going on.”

Although Lee designed a scale model of the stage, it has been the Company of Ten’s experienced set construction crew – led by Nick Tarrant and Ian Crawford – who have actually made it work. Lee added: “They have done an amazing job of bringing the idea to life. It really does look magical.”

Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime, a black comedy based on a late 19th-Century short story by Oscar Wilde, follows the adventures of Lord Arthur Savile, a young aristocrat who is told by a fortune-teller that he is predestined to commit murder.

Concerned that he may end up killing his fiancée, Sybil Merton, Savile sets about trying to bump off other likely candidates instead.

Performances take place on the Abbey Theatre Main Stage from 8pm tomorrow and Saturday (12/13), at 2.30pm on Sunday (14) and at 8pm again from Tuesday, September 16, to Saturday, September 20.

To book tickets go to www.abbeytheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 01727 857861.

An audio-described performance for the blind and partially sighted is being held on Thursday, September 18. Audience members wishing to use this service should book either by phone or in person at the box office.