Theatre designer Iona McLeish worked on many productions at Half Moon Theatre at Alie Street and on the Mile End Road. She talks about walking with Rob Walker, the rehearsal process and the importance of the work of Half Moon Theatre.

Iona McLeish talks about designing the costumes for the musical, Pal Joey, which later transferred to the West End. However, unlike today, this sort of success didn’t involve a substantial fee.

Iona McLeish talks about designing Landscape of Exiles and her decision to use projection, which was mainly monochrome and then was suddenly injected with bursts of colour.

Iona McLeish talks about designing The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui and recalls how she and Simon Callow decided on the memorable idea of him wearing a red nose and clown-like wig.

Iona McLeish talks about designing the costumes for Hamlet, the first production in the Mile End Road theatre. She remembers a late night session in the building when Mick Bearwish, the designer, had an encounter with a circular saw!

Iona McLeish remembers designing A Cool Million and the particular challenges of creating a set which was also required to go on tour. Interviewed by Toni Tsaera.