“Garlic has an incredibly strong response to briefs, really understanding the complexity of our work and simplifying it for the market.”
Head of Communications, MAC
I’ve been providing design solutions to theatre industry clients for over two decades. Since I started working in London’s vibrant West End in 1997, the theatre industry has changed considerably. Advances in storytelling techniques, the ability to capture and analyse audience behaviours, and the inevitable impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, have all transformed the cultural landscape. Time for the performing arts industry to reach out to communities and connect with audiences like never before.
Nothing beats the thrill of a live performance, the visceral connection with the audience – it’s storytelling in its rawest of forms. How do marketers and creatives attract new audiences and engage regular theatregoers? This year feels like the half-time interval. A pause for reflection. I am optimistic for a standing ovation in the second act.
Garlic works closely with marketing, development, education and outreach departments, theatre directors, playwrights and set designers to help bring their theatrical visions to life. I create materials to promote musical theatre, acting shows for both stage and screen, dance shows, opera and ballet productions staged in London’s West End, for UK touring productions, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and for New York’s Broadway.
I design and deliver everything from show title treatments to theatre programmes, to London Underground panels and billboard posters, to bus and taxi liveries and full wraps, to digital screens for railway stations and foyer areas, to front of house signage and audience wayfinding signage, to branded merchandise and ticketing. I can also provide further creative support to you and your team with social media campaign assets, animated logos, responsive Wix or WordPress CMS websites and digital banners. I’ve even branded and launched new theatre companies.
A few of the productions I have worked on: Anything Goes revival (2003); Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, UK Tour (2002); Disney’s The Lion King (2000-2005); Chicago (1997); Doctor Dolittle (1998); ENO’s Barber of Seville, Carmen, Don Giovanni, La Boheme, and Mikado; Mamma Mia! (2004) My Fair Lady (2001); RSC’s Matilda The Musical (2012); Oklahoma! revival (1998); RSC’s Hamlet (2008), The Winter’s Tale (2009); As You Like It (2009); Saturday Night Fever (2000); Starlight Express revival (2002); We Will Rock You (2002); and nearly 100 amateur production posters for ArtsEd London between 2009 and 2018.
More recently, I helped The Royal Shakespeare Company during their (Stratford) transformation project between 2007-2010 and worked on the Midlands Arts Centre’s (Birmingham) redevelopment in 2010-2014. In 2016 I branded and created an advertising campaign for the Menuhin Violin 100th Anniversary Competition (London) along with a prestigious season guide. Then in 2019, I worked with SharkLegs Theatre Company to promote their show ‘Fulfilment’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
No need for first night nerves.
Arts culture sector deliverables | ||
---|---|---|
Arts Development |
Billboard Posters (Digital & Print) |
Bus and Taxi Liveries |
Front of House Artwork |
Fundraising Materials |
Outreach and Education |
Season Guides |
Show Merchandise |
Show Programmes |
Signage (Digital & Print) |
Social Media Assets |
Theatre Branding |
Ticketing Design |
Title Treatment Creation |
Website Banners |
Event or show specific website landing pages (designed & developed in Wix or WordPress) |
“We regard him as a valued team-member rather than a supplier. The quality of his work in terms of consistency and creativity is truly impressive.”
Director of Marketing and Communications, ArtsEd London