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John & Jen at Southwark Playhouse

James Price Featured, Theatre
John & Jen at Southwark Playhouse

We were delighted to support the world premier of John & Jen at Southwark Playhouse. Lighting Design for the show was provided by Andrew Exeter. Andrew took full advantage of our stock of Martin MAC Aura XB‘s & ETC ColorSource Spot‘s for his design. In addition, Andrew used Studio COB Plus‘s as well as LED tape to complete the design. The show enjoyed a successful run at the Playhouse from the 28th July through till the 21st August. Filling the Playhouse each night with audiences excited to return to see live theatre once again.

“It was a pleasure to work closely with Andrew again on another project. This time on a new version of this musical. Andrew’s keen eye for design is always gaurunteed to bring new life into any show he works on. Similarly, this show was no exception. Working with a design based on a predominantly Generic & LED rig, it was great to see what Andrew was able to do and it looked great” says Storm’s Rental Manager, James.

Watch John & Jen Show Promo

About The Show

From the award winning composer of The Addams Family, Big Fish & The Wild Party, starring Olivier Award nominee Rachel Tucker and introducing Lewis Cornay. John & Jen is an emotional rollercoaster that explores the dynamics of family relationships. This production is the world premiere of a brand new updated version of the show by Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald, with orchestrations by Jason Robert Brown & Andrew Lippa.

1985, John & Jen, brother and sister, born seven years apart, grow up together, totally inseparable. Jen makes a “forever pact” with her little brother to always protect him against anything and anyone, including their own dad.

1986, Jen, alone in Canada with her baby boy whom she has named John, a living memorial to the brother she failed to protect.

The beautiful and haunting score emotionally captures the zeitgeist of contemporary America.

HAIR at the London Palladium

James Price Concerts, Featured, Theatre
HAIR at the London Palladium

Following on from a hugely successful limited production at Turbine on the Jetty last year. HAIR is one of the first performances at the Palladium to welcome a live audience back to the venue since the beginning of this year. Both feature a lighting design by Andrew Exeter. He was keen to work with Storm to provide the lighting and rigging equipment required for the production.

We worked closely with Andrew to bring this specially created concert version to life. Andrew was keen to bring the classic 60’s tungsten look and feel to the stage. Keeping inline with the shows 1960’s roots. He achieved this in the unique form of “PAR Trees”. These also helped to frame the performance space for the concert.

To work with the tungsten part of the design, Andrew took advantage of our recently added stock of Vari*Lite VL2600 Profile‘s. He also made great use of our SGM Q7‘s & ETC ColorSource Spot‘s to complete the design. This special concert version of HAIR was directed by Arlene Phillips.

“It is always a pleasure to work with Andrew, especially on productions like these. It’s an opportunity to create something more unique compared with traditional theatre shows. Andrew’s attention to detail and his ability to create special moments within the show are second to none. Seeing a show back in a theatre again with a live audience after so long has been brilliant. Along with everyone else in the industry, we are really looking forward to seeing the entertainment industry recover strongly over the next few months”. Says Storm’s Rental Manager, James.

About The Show

In this specially produced concert version directed by Arlene Phillips. Get ready to groove to an infectiously energetic rock beat. With songs like Aquarius, Good Morning, Starshine, Hair, I Got Life, and Let The Sun Shine. Exploring ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace. Hair remains relevant as ever as it examines what it means to be a young person in a changing world.

Featuring a cast of well known West End Performers including, Layton Williams (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Rent), Nicole Raquel Dennis (Dear Evan Hansen, Waitress), Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Tom Francis, Grace Mouat (SIX and & Juliet), Jodie Steele (Heathers and SIX), Matt Croke (Aladdin, Funny Girl) and Millie O’Connell (SIX and Rent).

1967 and HAIR‘s hippie-hood youngsters live as The Tribe, in the East Village of New York. Yearning to change the world, questioning authority and the American flag. They are wild, colourful, free, sexually liberated beautiful people who join in protest and song. All whilst under the shadow of the Vietnam War. Featuring classic hit songs: Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In and Good Morning Star Shine. The story of youth and war still resounds throughout the world making this a topical musical for the millennial generation. 

Storm Creates Festive Magic on Screen

James Price Concerts, Live Events, Theatre
Storm Creates Festive Magic on Screen

Storm supplies lighting and rigging equipment for a festive production series filmed in the heart of the West End at the Actors Church, Covent Garden.

The festive production is available to stream throughout the Christmas period on stream.theatre until the 1st January 2021. Featuring spectacular performances from West End stars including the entire cast of A Christmas Carol – The Musical.

Lighting Designer Andrew Exeter enlisted the support of Storm to provide lighting and rigging equipment for the production. “Storm were my first choice for equipment to use on this production. Knowing Storm hold a range of equipment for Film, TV & Broadcast. Straightaway I knew they were the perfect company to have onboard with this project. In addition, key to this production was Storm’s stock of ARRI SkyPanel‘s. The SkyPanels are an undeniably powerful and make lighting for camera stress free.” says Andrew.

Utilising equipment from our Film, TV & Broadcast catalogue we ensured Andrew had the best tools for the job. Ensuring he was able to produce a high quality production. “After what has been a devastating year for the Entertainment Industry. It was great to be able to help create some much needed festive spirit. Especially a production that can be enjoyed by people all round the world over the holiday season. Not only that, but the production is helping to raise money for both Shelter & Crisis charities. Both charities are do so much each year. In particular this year under even more challenging conditions this year due to the pandemic.” says Storm’s Rental Manager, James.

Stream Online

About the Show

Denise Welch will host a starry list of performers coming together for a filmed concert. We Need A Little Christmas, in support of Shelter and Crisis at Christmas. The concert will be filmed live at the Actors’ Church (St Paul’s Church) in London’s Covent Garden. With performances from Dame Maureen Lipman, Charlie Kristensen, Christine Allado, David Bedella, Kevin Clifton, Brenda Edwards, Sheila Ferguson, Amy Hart, Dom Hartley-Harris, Sophie Isaacs, Cassidy Janson, Lydia Lucy, Lee Mead, Peter Polycarpou, Jodie Prenger, Sharon Rose, Sally Ann Triplett and The Vivienne. Along with Brian Conley, Matt Jay-Willis, Lucie Jones, Jacqueline Jossa. Plus the cast of A Christmas Carol – The Musical and the West End Gospel Choir.

We Need A Little Christmas will be directed and staged by Michael Strassen. Musical direction by George Charter and production design by Andrew Exeter. We Need A Little Christmas is produced by Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for Ginger Quiff Media and Guy Chapman.

The Last Five Years

James Price Theatre
The Last Five Years
Storm were delighted to have the opportunity to supply a unique production of The Last Five Years. This limited performance of L5Y at the Minack Theatre required an equally unique approach to the design. With a completely open air theatre on Cornwall’s coast, IP fixtures were a requirement for lighting designer Andrew Exeter.

“When putting together the specification for The Last Five Years. I was keen to build on the equipment available from the Minack. I wanted to be able to sculpt light up the main stage rock faces but also all the way across the hand carved auditorium. Storm were great at realising what I was trying to achieve. They suggested equipment from their extensive inventory that met all my requirements without compromise.” says Andrew Exeter (Lighting & Set Designer for L5Y).

Storm provided a complete wireless DMX system, along with a predominantly battery powered selection of fixtures. This offered Andrew true flexibility for this unique production with the additional time saved. It ensured a smooth and simple setup each day. Utilising our Wireless Solutions W-DMX Blackbox interfaces for wireless control. They provided true peace of mind for reliable wireless connectivity every day.

“I knew Storm would be able to provide the package I needed without hassle. The service & support from the Storm team is second to none. It always puts my mind at ease knowing I have Storm’s equipment my shows. Their expert knowledge of their equipment and venues around the UK really is a huge benefit to designers. Storm really do go the extra mile with their service. Everything arrived ready to go, paired to the W-DMX boxes which was a real bonus. It really was plug & play system which is exactly what we needed with limited load in time.” says Andrew.

About the Show

West End stars Emma Kingston (Evita, In The Heights, Les Miserables) will play the role of aspiring actress Cathy. Waylon Jacobs (Hamilton, Memphis, Ragtime) will play Jamie, an enthusiastic writer with success just around the corner. 

The Last Five Years, written by the Tony award-winning Jason Robert Brown (Songs for a New World, Parade, Bridges of Madison County) tells a story of love, loss, ambition and the price we pay for all of it.

It is an emotionally powerful and intimate musical about two New Yorkers in their twenties who fall in and out of love over the course of five years. The show’s unconventional structure consists of Cathy, the woman, telling her story backwards while Jamie, the man, tells his story chronologically.  

From an award-winning creative team with a stunning West End cast and band. This outdoor production will bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye.

Photography by Kyle Richardson

Hair The Musical – An Outdoor Concert

James Price Concerts, Live Events, Theatre
Hair The Musical – An Outdoor Concert

Storm worked with Lighting & Video designer Andrew Exeter to realise a unique version of Hair. Bringing a special Outdoor Concert version of Hair The Musical. Part of the Turbine Theatre’s “On The Jetty” programme of summer events. The re-imagined concert version of Hair was produced by Paul Taylor-Mills.

Andrew’s approach to this design required additional steps when specifying equipment for this show. “As this production was completely open to the elements on the banks of the Thames. We had to make sure that we had equipment that could withstand whatever the British weather could throw at us. Especially in the summer! Storm’s stock of IP rated fixtures was a huge advantage for me when designing this show. I was able to make full use of both SGM Q7‘s and Studio COB Plus‘s and have the peace of mind that everything had the protection it needed.” says Andrew.

The Turbine Theatre announced a specially curated festival of live entertainment for all the family. Presented on a safe and socially distanced jetty next to the iconic Battersea Power Station

Arlene Phillips says “I am thrilled to be directing this small but mighty open air concert of Hair. Now more than ever we need music that lifts our spirits and feeds our souls to remind us that theatre is alive. I believe that a musical with a strong political message is important not just to give us hope. But to inspire a future generation.”

About the Show

The American tribal love rock musical Hair is back this summer, celebrating sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory. In this specially produced concert version directed by Arlene Phillips. Get ready to groove to an infectiously energetic rock beat with songs like “Aquarius,” “Good Morning, Starshine,” “Hair,” “I Got Life,” and “Let The Sun Shine.” Exploring ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace. Hair remains relevant as ever as it examines what it means to be a young person in a changing world.

The Last Ship International Tour

James Price Theatre, Tours
The Last Ship International Tour

Storm are pleased to be providing Production Management services to the international tour of Sting’s musical, The Last Ship. Having toured the UK in 2018. Now following on from a successful run in Canada in early 2019. The Last Ship will be arriving into the port of Los Angeles, California on the 14th January 2020. The US Tour will continue to San Francisco, California, Washington D.C, St Paul, Minnesota and Detroit, Michigan.

The Last Ship, inspired by Sting’s 1991 album “The Soul Cages” and his own childhood experiences. It tells the story of a community amid the demise of the shipbuilding industry in Tyne and Wear. With the closure of the Swan Hunter shipyard. Sting will star as shipyard foreman Jackie White. He will perform the role at every performance. When a sailor named Gideon Fletcher returns home after seventeen years at sea. Tensions between past and future flare in both his family and his town.

The local shipyard, around which the community has always revolved, is closing and no one knows what will come next. Only that a half-built ship towers over the terraces. With the engine fired and pistons in motion, picket lines are drawn as foreman Jackie White (Sting) and his wife Peggy fight to hold their community together in the face of the gathering storm. This personal, political, and passionate musical from multiple Grammy Award®-winner Sting. It is an epic account of a family, a community and a great act of defiance. The Last Ship features an original score with music and lyrics by Sting. As well as a few of his best-loved songs.

Watch the International Tour Promo

Storm On Board with Titanic

James Price Theatre, Tours
Titanic The Musical - UK Tour
Titanic The Musical Header

Storm are pleased to be providing a full Lighting & Rigging equipment package for the current International tour of Titanic the Musical. With a truly creative Lighting Design by Howard Hudson. The show tells of the final hours of the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic from Southampton to New York.

In the final hours of 14th April 1912 the RMS Titanic. On her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. It collided with an iceberg and ‘the unsinkable ship’ slowly sank. It was one of the most tragic disasters of the 20th Century. 1517 men, women and children lost their lives.

Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world. Titanic The Musical is a stunning and stirring production. Focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers. Who each boarded with stories and personal ambitions of their own. All innocently unaware of the fate awaiting them. The Third Class immigrants dream of a better life in America. The Second Class imagine they too can join the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Whilst the millionaire Barons of the First Class anticipate legacies lasting forever.

With music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year and 1776). The pair have collectively won an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, an Olivier Award and three Tony awards. The original Broadway production of Titanic The Musical won five Tony Awards. Including, Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. This brilliant new production direct from London won sweeping critical acclaim across the board.

“A feast of remarkable theatricality – this totally enveloping, completely thrilling production gave one a chance to experience the kind of masterly theatre that has been absent in Birmingham for far too long.”

Birmingham Post

Once On This Island

James Price Theatre
Once On This Island

Storm are delighted to be supplying the lighting equipment to Once On This Island. Currently playing at Southwark Playhouse until the 31st August. The universal tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world, and ready to risk it all for love. Guided by the mighty island gods, Ti Moune sets out on a remarkable journey to reunite with the man who has captured her heart.

Once On This Island is a captivating calypso-flavoured re-telling of the Little Mermaid fairy tale. The story begins on a Caribbean island where villagers comfort a little girl with the legend of the romance of the peasant orphan Ti Moune, and a rich city boy whom she saves from death. The Island Gods have different plans for her story. But, Ti Moune is destined to love too much for the human heart to bear.

The 1990 musical written by Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music) recently received a revival on Broadway (which won a Tony Award) directed by Michael Arden. Starring none other than Lea Salonga as Erzulie, Goddess of Love. Now, choreographer and director Lee Proud brings the heartwarming musical to Southwark Playhouse. Presented by the British Theatre Academy in a vibrant and tireless production that introduces an array of emerging talent.

It features a lighting design by Andrew Exeter (ALD, Rock of Ages UK Tour, LD & Set Designer, Bad Girls UK Tour) who comments: “This show has been a really exciting project to work on. It is a musical with an incredible tropical location and the most beautiful score. In early conversations with Lee we understood that the storytelling should never look the same for more than 5 seconds. This required the ability for a rig to create everything from intimate shadowy moments to songs of bold colours and at times, several thunderstorms. Staging the show in traverse meant that there were further great challenges for me and Simon Wells (Set + Costume). Creating textures and a depth from a relatively thin space.”

The lighting rig mainly featured ROBE fixtures, including BMFL Blades and the new LEDBeam 150‘s. Andrew explains: “It was key to have a fixture that had shutters and was able to create an animated textured effect without settling for less output. The BMFL Blade was the only fixture I could have both key features I was looking for without comprimise. The LEDBeam 150’s were ideal as they are a really compact fixture with a huge output. They also have a wide zoom range which was ideal for highlighting small but key moments in the show.”

Andrew concludes: “It has been a great pleasure working with Storm on this production of Once On This Island. They have been incredibly supportive throughout the pre-production process, their attention to detail and equipment prep is brilliant. Supplying all the requirements needed for this production and equipment to create a rig that is versatile and bold.”

Director / Choreographer: Lee Proud
Set / Costume: Simon Wells
Lighting Designer: Andrew Exeter
Lighting Programmer: Nick Steer
Photography: Eliza Wilmot