Additional information
by Sebastian Barnes (Author)
This collection of anecdotes starts with a brief look at how my passion for theatre began and that I've been very fortunate to spend over 50 years working in the technical side of live theatre. I decided to write this book because I've recently found myself telling these stories to students and colleagues and wanted to pass on some of my anecdotes from my equally varied career in technical theatre.
One day, on a friend's suggestion, I rocked up to the stage door of the Birmingham Rep theatre and asked to see the Technical Manager, to see if they would offer me work backstage. I recall him saying something like 'I'm glad you've turned up. I need some casual workers in a week's time'. Using my fast developing 'have a go' attitude, I accepted and have never looked back.
From then until 2008, I progressed through a wide range of backstage job roles in different venues mainly in the West Midlands but sometimes travelling further afield such as Edinburgh, working in lighting, sound, scenery and prop making, flying scenery, stage engineering, and technical & venue management. I took many opportunities for different job roles and any relevant training I could get.
Here are some stories from my work in technical theatre.
