The Old Operating Theatre

So currently I’m having the privilege to put some ideas together for some editorial shoots with prop stylist and set designer Sam Barbic. Check her website here, she has some amazing shoots from editorial to commercial and I am very excited to work with her.

During our first meeting we covered our interest and ideas and she brought up the idea for a editorial shoot based around quirky medical props and styling.

So I have covered a little bit of research for inspiration. Although I’m still to watch some quirky films Sam thinks could help with inspiration, I went along to the Old Operating Theatre Musuem. It’s based in London and used to be part of the St Thomas hospital in Borough. Not only is the history remarkable but also the interior and displays into such a tiny space, so interesting, I ended up been there for over 2 hours reading, browsing and taking pictures.

Its defiantly worth a visit, for anyone really. Whether you’re after inspiration like me, a medical student or just like a bit of museum browsing. Have a look at the website here for more info.

If anyone knows anywhere else that could inspire us let me know please.

Heres some of the images taken for inspiration.

original metal operating table. amazing look at history and how far medical equipment has come.

strange to thing that years ago something gory would have happened on here...

St Thomas hospital also was the home of the herb garret, where medicines of all kinds where made and stored for the hospital. This is a replica of the apothecary of animals, animal bones, etc.

Lovely curating, looks like someone has only just left. Almost looks like a set dressed for a shop from Harry Potter,  Diagon Alley.

The main section of the museum, called the herb garret. Filled with a host of information and equipment.

The space is gorgeous, with the roof structure which is all original.

Replicas of the herbs that were dried and used as pain killers for a number of illnesses.

Maybe not ideal for the shoot, but it is all real and what the team of the museum keep looking authentic.

Collection after collection of actual bottles, parcels, jars. Inside large cabinets, making the space feel so crowded which it would have been in them days, with so many different experiments taking place.

Id love to be able to dress a set like this, hunting around sourcing a range of bottles, jars, boxes anything that will create the right mood. Looking at the graphics used as well is interesting. Finding the right ones from the period or making my own.

This is some of the interesting things. Equipment used from as early as the 1600's I believe was in display. Tools used by midwifes, heart surgery, brain surgery and post mortem. Its amazing to see how the equipment and progressed and what is still used today.

This is one image I took of the actual operating theatre. Iv only uploaded one as its such an amazing space you can only really appreciate it when you are there. The room isn't fully original as it was recovered after it had been partly destroyed. The floor is still the same, and the furniture and equipment has all been recovered from other sites or are replicas.

I also got chance to see The Shard doing its job, rather than reflecting a cloudy day.

Thanks for reading!

Elle x