UK theatre is built on small theatres and amateur venues. Without these no one in our industry would never get their start, big breaks or get to hone their craft in spaces to experiment and learn.
However creating theatre and events is expensive, and while the tight budget, time and space considerations found in small theatre inspire great creativity it can be sad to think of all the lost opportunities prohibited by the available equipment.
As a freelance Lighting designer I have worked with many small companies in theatre, dance and music who have inspired and intricate designs and concepts they simply cannot execute due to a lack of budget and equipment. I have always tried to work with them to find alternatives and facilitate shared budgets but sadly it cannot always be done with the means available. I have always been a practical learner, so without access to other equipment it becomes very difficult to push myself and my designs. Without really understanding the equipment well enough it becomes difficult to justify the cost of hiring it in the first place (especially in the tight budgets of small events) creating a cycle of stagnation within the industry, a cycle only broken by luck or rich benefactors.
The Appleby Technical Affordable Access Program is a scheme to make industry standard and high quality equipment available to amateur and small arts companies, charities, students and educational establishments either for free or greatly reduced rates. This covers Lighting fixtures, lighting control, mixing desks, microphones, PA, amplifier, video and networking.
The scheme aims not only to help support the creative visions of small event and theatremakers but to help designers and technicians to build their skills and understanding to push their craft and hopefully careers forwards.
If you are a small scale production, charity etc. get in contact and discuss what we can do for you. #lightingdesign #lighting #theatre #theatrelighting #stagelighting #equipmenthire #ataffordableaccess
Delighted to have worked with @ouseburntrust to install new permanent lighting in the @victoria_tunnel to support their gig and event series. This new system is fully controllable with standard lighting desks, or can operate a series of saved sequences and colours.
And my final Edfringe project @ascension_play . A delight to be back working on this beautiful play by @dan.hazelwood
“Special mention too for the eye-watering visuals from James Appleby, who achieves practically West End productions values” - Everything Theatre
“the show makes smart, impactful use of minimal staging, instead relying heavily on its lighting design to show the switches in timeline, often happening very quickly. Designed by James Appleby, it is simple, yet dramatic, perfectly capturing the mood of the scenes.” - The Verdict
“Two men, a bench, and incredible lighting technique make this one of the most creative and beautifully executed productions in all of the Fringe” - The Student
Director: @maxlindsay85
Writer/Actor: @dan.hazelwood
Actor: Conor Mainwaring
Operator: @ciarajpidgeon
Sound Design: @gsparrysound
And of course the honour of lighting @awkwardprods wedding live on stage at the @thepleasance Grand. A beautiful event with so many fantastic guests and of course a fantastic couple.
Next on Edfringe: My second year working with @recentcutbacks on Hold On To Your Butts in @thepleasance Forth.
I’ve loved getting design and operate this show again, with as ever an all star cast.
📸 by @mikebryknyc
Next Edfringe Project: The Fit Prince (Who Gets Switched on the Square in the Frosty Castle the Night Before (Public Holiday Here)) at @thepleasance Beyond.
Another fantastic show from @awkwardprods , high camp, inventive and hilarious as always.
Appleby Technical delighted to provide the lighting design, Video Programming, Sennheiser EW-DX headset microphones and Chauvet R1 Beamwash Lights.
Supported by a fantastic creative team:
Writers/Performers/Producers: @suddenlyjoseph@linuskarp
Lighting Design: James Appleby
Sound Design: @katemarlais
Set Design: @stellabackmandesign
ASM: @ciarajpidgeon
Producers: @daddysmoneyprod@the_youth_underground
Presented in collaboration with @kingsheadtheatre
📸 by @annaclarephotography
The first of Edfringe Wrapups is ‘Fly You Fools’ from the incredibly talented @recentcutbacks
With an almost fully sold out run, endless 5 star reviews (including 6 stars from The Times) this show was a delight to design and operate.
📸 by @mikebryknyc & @annaclarephotography
First two reviews in! 😍
@broadwaybabycom and @starburst_mag have both released very FIT reviews for #FitPrince - thank you. Overjoyed to see our first two reviews ever for this show being this glowing!
Join us today 16:40 @thepleasance Courtyard
🎟in bio
