Painting and Props

I have been painting scenery since I was at school & was what started me designing for theatre. I did scenic placements at the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh & Ludus Dance company while at college. Since leaving college I have worked for Bolton Octagon, RNCM, Library Theatre & Swan Theatre, Worcester as a scenic artist & prop maker. I paint most of my own designs and have taught painting & prop making skills as part of my job as Head of Design for Manchester Youth Theatre & British Youth Film Project. Scenic painting & Prop making skills include: masks, puppets, polystyrene carving, basic woodwork, clay, wire, card etc. I also make banners and textiles. I have a studio in Salford for making props & masks.

For full listings of theatre design projects, please download my CV.

Manchester Music Icons – Manchester Day Parade

Eastlands Homes applied to Walk The Plank for their Youth Forum to take part in the Manchester Day Parade 2011. They were keen to celebrate music icons from Manchester.

Tree Cloths – Footlights Theatre School

I was commissioned by Footlights Theatre School in Manchester to create a backdrop/header cloth to give the feeling of Autumnal leaves at sunset. This was to be used for their Christmas productions of The Selfish Giant & The Railway Children.

Seven Deadly Sins/Emotions Masks – Aqueous Humour

Designed to be used as part of the Drink, Drugs, Sex and Anger programme following the success of the STI masks for the Sexual Health programme. It is a performance and education programme for 12 to 25 yrs, that explores and promotes understanding of addiction, personal safety and emotional literacy.

The Treasure of Albion – British Youth Film Project

Director: Andrew Walkington

“The Treasure of Albion” is a children’s adventure feature film where “The Da Vinci Code” meets “The Goonies”, Enid Blyton and “Byker Grove”.

Strange Capers – DIY Theatre Company

Directed by Sue Caudle & Jenny Harris
Performed at The Lowry Studio

“Strange Capers” was devised by the group using Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” as a starting point. The design was developed from a drawing of Shakespeare by one of the members, Anna Ward.

STI Masks – Middleton Sexual Health Project/Aqueous Humour

Can you guess which is which? Choose from HIV, AIDS, Herpes, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Public Lice, Gential Warts & Chlamydia.

Miles Platting Library Mural – Groundwork

I was commissioned by Groundwork to design & paint a mural on Miles Platting Library as part of a larger regeneration project in the area. My brief was to create something bright & happy to cheer people up & to do this through workshops with local children.

All of You Mine – Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Large quantities of polystrene and idenden went into creating this landscape of slag heaps and pit props.