Award nominated UK Theatre Lighting Designer, Graham McLusky, returns to Joburg for the 17th year running. Is that for real? … “Oh yes it is!”
Having lit over 100 UK pantomimes and more than 500 shows, musicals and plays over the last 40 years… including 16 Joburg Pantos, Graham is headed back to The Joburg Theatre this October, to light what is a firm traditional Christmas favourite in anyone’s book.
The Joburg Theatre Panto is an annual treat, not only for thousands of kids and adults alike, it is also a treat to work on and be a part of. “It’s like my South African family” says Graham. The production is headed up by the fabulous theatre Producer & Practitioner, Bernard Jay and conceived, written and directed by the wonderful doyenne of theatre in South Africa… Janice Honeyman, who will be adding bucket loads of magic onto the Nelson Mandela Stage.
Graham thoroughly enjoys his time at the Joburg Theatre each year and to be invited back for the 17th year in a row is quite an honour indeed. This year’s Christmas offering is Jack And The Beanstalk. We all know the fairy tale about how Jack defeats the giant and chops down the Beanstalk but the Joburg Panto takes it all many stages further with fun, excitement, magic, glitter, showy songs and dance numbers, more glitter, more fun and more of everything. It leaves the audiences absolutely stunned and full of joy at every performance! Panto, is in many cases, a child’s first introduction to theatre; if it makes an impression of wonderment on the child, what better way of making that introduction. It is amazing how Panto breaks down so many barriers at all ages.
Graham McLusky started his career over 40 years ago and has lit over 100 pantomimes. For many years he used to light at least 4 pantos each season, one week after the next on a fast turnover. “By the time I got to the final panto each season I was exhausted and ready for my Christmas break! It has always been a blast though and the adrenalene runs high each year!”
Earlier this year, Graham was nominated for best panto lighting at the Great British Pantomime Awards. What an honour!
Creating magic is not an easy task. It has to be thought out and planned very carefully beforehand. With technical special effects being so readily available nowadays and also expected by the discerning audiences, there is more to play and have fun with. Where else would you see Cinderella’s coach being flown skywards by an animatronic winged unicorn? How about the biggest fire breathing T Rex ever, lunging out of the dark into the auditorium? Or a massive dragon being ridden on by the scary evil Queen? All this would not work so believably without the added magic of Panto Lighting!
The Joburg Panto technical production period, where all the technical aspects are put together and then blended with the fully rehearsed cast and the staging, lasts about a week with several previews to run it all in before the official opening night. So Graham, like all other members of the Panto Team, has his work cut out again this year.
So, what will Jack and The Beanstalk have to offer this year? It will bigger and better without a doubt… a giant of a pantomime… let’s wait and see shall we?
Graham is definately looking forward to coming back again.
Check out some images of the Snow White Panto from 2018
What are people saying?…
” Yip,he’s the Panto King, the Flash Bob, the light at the end of the tunnel! Graham RULES OK, over n over n over again!” – Janice Honeyman
“… dazzling costumes with equally matched Hollywood enchanted lighting and sets… literally took SA theatre to the next level” – Lee Woolf, Blogger
“… The Lighting Design by Graham McLusky… captured the romantic mood and made wonderful use of (the) large space…” – Mellowday London
“… Dramatic lighting (Graham Mclusky) created a spectacle which was matched by the quality of the performances…” – Timeline
Graham McLusky also owns and operates a Web Development firm “Web Design Imagineers” developing web sites and mobile applications for small to medium sized businesses. webdesign-imagineers.co.uk
Images by Enroc Photo & Video: www.enroc.co.za