Rob has just completed a short trip to Mumbai - his first visit to India - to work on the rarely-staged Tom Stoppard play Every Good Boy Deserves Favour. The show is rarely stage because it involves not just actors but a full orchestra performing the music written by André Previn - but here the forces of Mumbai’s National Centre for the Perfoming Arts and the Symphony Orchestra of India combined to bring the show to life.
Rob was once again working as associate lighting designer and lighting programmer with lighting designer Rick Fisher, with whom he has previously collaborated on projects around the world, with the pair both enjoying the re-union with the NCPA’s Head of Theatre and Film Bruce Guthrie, for whom they have both lit shows before. Alongside them were set designer Francis O’Connor, costume designer Pallavi Patel, sound designer Andy Collins, movement director Rachel D’Souza, music supervisor Matthew Scott and conductor Mikel Toms.
Rick and Rob received excellent support from the Mumbai-based assistant on the show, Akshay Khubchandani, who ensured everything required was available, up and working in the theatre as well as providing a wonderful host to this remarkable city.
As well as getting the show itself on, all involved took part in a workshop organised by the NCPA and stage manager Antonia Collins to introduce young people to the work required to get a show on - an event rapturously well received by those who attended it.
Such is the show’s success that it’s originally scheduled run has been extended by a week to give more people the chance to enjoy it.
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour Mumbai: [link]
