Behind the Scenes of the Suitcase-Sculpted Set of 'Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)'

Scenic designer Soutra Gilmour shares the vision and inspiration behind the luggage-filled set design of the hit Broadway musical.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 5:47pm

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In this exclusive interview, VERANDA Creative Director Victor Maze sits down with London-based set and costume designer Soutra Gilmour to uncover the stories behind the captivating theatrical set of the Broadway musical "Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)". Gilmour shares how the concept of a "snow globe" and the metaphorical significance of suitcases shaped the sculptural, suitcase-built vision of New York City that frames the show's intimate two-person story.

Why it matters

The set design for "Two Strangers" is an integral part of the show's charm and emotional resonance, transforming the stage into a miniature, snow globe-like version of New York City built entirely from stacked suitcases. Gilmour's innovative approach blends functionality, metaphor, and visual poetry to create a captivating theatrical experience.

The details

Gilmour explains that the suitcase-filled set was inspired by the show's narrative of an unlikely friendship forged between two strangers in New York, as well as the emotional "baggage" they each carry. The suitcases not only suggest the city's immigrant history, but also become multifunctional set pieces that open to reveal hidden worlds. Gilmour worked closely with the lighting designer to integrate electrics directly into the sculptural set, animating the space with the glow of neon signs and streetlights.

  • The show premiered in London's West End in 2024.
  • It had its U.S. premiere in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the summer of 2025.
  • The Broadway production opened in New York City in the fall of 2025.

The players

Soutra Gilmour

A London-based set and costume designer who created the sculptural, suitcase-built set design for the Broadway musical "Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)".

Tim Jackson

The director of "Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)".

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What they’re saying

“Because there are only two performers onstage—and they can't leave—we needed to create a closed world that still connected dynamically to the audience. We kept coming back to the idea of a snow globe—that sense of being suspended in a moment in time. A view of the city contained in a bubble. That felt central to the piece.”

— Soutra Gilmour, Set and Costume Designer

“Suitcases become holders of memory. And when you stack them, they look like buildings—a skyline. Different heights suggest a water tower, a loft, a rooftop. They create a miniature New York, but they're also functional, becoming beds, seats, bars, cake boxes. They open and reveal worlds.”

— Soutra Gilmour, Set and Costume Designer

What’s next

The Broadway production of "Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)" is scheduled to run through the end of the 2025-2026 season.

The takeaway

Soutra Gilmour's innovative set design for "Two Strangers" seamlessly blends form and function, using a sculptural suitcase-built skyline to create an intimate, immersive theatrical experience that captures the emotional essence of the show's story and characters.