Matthew Bourne's Cinderella would not be possible without the work of our company on and off the stage. During the tour, as well as insights from the dancers, we will be introducing you to members of our backstage team who ensure each performance is delivered technically clean day in, day out.
From 31 March - 3 April, follow us on Instagram (@MBNewAdventures) for our first takeover from some of our backstage team. Sam Baker (Chief Electrician), Liam Walls (Flyman/Deputy Carpenter) & Harriet Finch (Technical Swing) will take you backstage with Cinderella as the show gets out of The Mayflower (Southampton) and makes its way to Wales Millennium Centre (Cardiff). Discover exactly what happens during the get-in and get-out as our production moves from one theatre to another and learn first-hand about their roles!
Find out more about Sam, Liam and Harriet below:
Sam Baker
Role: Chief Electrician
Training: On the job.
A key bit of advice for someone looking to get into this role: Show your abilities by getting on and doing the task at hand without making a song and dance about it. It will get noticed. If you don't know something, ask.
Are there any fun facts about the show that relate to your role and what you do? We have a little over 16 tons of lighting equipment on this show and there are 612 lighting positions to recreate each week.
Liam Walls
Role: Deputy Carpenter and Flyman
Main Responsibilities: Packing up the set and moving the show from venue to venue, and during the show, with the help of the local fly crew, make scenery fly!
A key bit of advice for someone looking to get into this role: Work hard, don't be afraid to ask questions (no question is a silly one when you are hanging half a ton of scenery in the air) and remember to have pride in your work and the final product.
Are there any fun facts about the show that relate to your role and what you do? Over the course of the show there are four flyman, pulling 28 different ropes, with 31 different cues!
Harriet Finch
Role: Tech Swing
Main Responsibilities: To teach the stage electricians on the first day followed by covering days off/illness/emergency cover across all departments. Once a week Harriet gets to operate the sound desk and assist with the get out.
Training: Studied Drama & Theatre at the University of Kent and completed a year internship at The Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
A key bit of advice for someone looking to get into this role: Talk to and learn from people already in the industry, have a good attitude to work and love what you do.
Are there any fun facts about the show that relate to your role and what you do? As tech swing Harriet covers lots of roles within the company. She currently knows 6 plots and will hopefully learn more over the course of the tour.
