ben's
biography
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The Navy Years
Benny's interest in theatre and entertainment lighting started when still in short pants. Many hours were spent in a darkened room with model theatres and torches. The interest never faltered. Fort nightly visits to at least two matinees and and evening performance in the West-End urged his curiosity.
The parents garage became a theatre hung with a selection of of old theatre lights and the electric bill reached mammoth proportions.
At age Fourteen, Benny managed to make an impression on the crew of Leeds Playhouse and Harrogate Theatre and became a week end member of the electric's. However not as work experience but a full member of the casual crew. By Fourteen and a half he was board operating (the lighting desk a LightSet 120) for performances, unsupervised.
Around this time he read a book called Stage Lighting by Richard Pilbrow. Unlike other books he had read this one was really about artistic lighting design. He decided he wanted to be this lighting designer thing.
Unknown to the poor unsuspecting Richard Pilbrow, Benny went on a pilgrimage to London to seek out this worldly lighting designer.
Knocking at the door of Theatre Projects was a successful and rewarding experience proving to be the beginning of a long relationship. More of this later.
Parental advice reluctantly agreed to, Benny remained at boarding school ('67 -'75) through out his teens and completed A-levels, when he wasn't too busy working in the theatre that is.
The vacation visits to Theatre Projects continued during this period with Benny being able to rifle through Richard Pilbrow's designs on past productions.
On Site in Dubai
The next education came in the form of an honors degree course. This was wholly unsuccessful, the course could not provide Benny with anything new and he spent most of his time away working. Full time education was terminated but Benny continued his visits to Theatre Projects and supplying them with copies of all his design work.
During the hot summer of 1976 Benny applied to the Arts Council of Great Britain to engage in the examination for a years lighting design bursary given every two years. Designs and Paper work completed Benny was asked to attend the bursary interview board. The answer came back within twenty four hours, he had gained the bursary award.
The next question was "where do you want to go?........... "Theatre Projects" was the answer ('76 - '78).
Joining the Theatre Projects light design office as an attached trainee was dream come true and 18 months of pure energy draining work and experience ensued. One type of production, event or installation after another with Benny assisting many famous designers proved to be the best grounding base he could have wished for.
After the wild and exhilarating whirl wind experience of the past 2 years Benny started to light his own engagements. The work was good but he had doubts. The life one had imagined was not quite the life one had being spoilt by the experience of working with top designers. Freezing cold in a damp theatre in the north of England on a gray Sunday morning didn't seem to have the same appeal as the West-End. As a pushy young man Benny wanted then what he has now and doubts grew stronger.
Working at the Czech Opera, Prague
Not wishing to turn his back on his first love he decided to test the waters in other areas for a while. After all he had progressed quickly and had a year or so to spare. Benny's birthday being in September meant he was always a year ahead at school and was only 17 when he left.
Flying was his other interest. Already having done most of his Private Pilots License Benny applied to fly as an officer with the Services. Within a year he was Training as a Sub Lieutenant in the Fleet Air Arm for Fixed Wing on a short commission. This was all good stuff. Benny fell into this with great alacrity. The experience was tremendous with the freedom of the air but all came to a 'grounding' halt. A sinus problem brought the career to a cross roads. Benny had no interest in the sea, it was either flying or not at all. After making a nuisance of himself he was released.
What next - that was easy. Benny joined Theatre Projects the following Monday after his release by the Air Board to start again as a Lighting Designer.
Benny spent a fruitful and happy Seven years at Theatre Projects working with friend, colleague and mentor Richard Pilbrow. Many of the original light design office team members had progressed onwards to other things and Benny headed up the light design office for 3 years before going freelance himself in 1987.
The rest is history. Benny's credits show the varied forms of activities he now engages himself in.
On a Mountain near Queenstown
Despite just reaching his 44th birthday Benny is feeling very young and energetic currently being involved in several architectural lighting projects in the Middle East, Far East. & Europe. Ben is now permanently based in Amsterdam, Holland.
