The Handbook of Stage Lighting

The Handbook of Stage Lighting is a journey of exploration into the heart of the fascinating world that paints pictures and tells stories with the most basic of all materials - light. In this comprehensive guide, authors Neil Fraser and Simon Bennison bring to a clear and persuasive text a shared expertise and an inspirational joy in their subject. From the simplest beginnings, it takes you through the workings of lighting design and provides the technical know-how required to function as an effective lighting designer. Topics include: the lighting designer's role; researching and interpreting the text; production styles, and the relationship between directors and designers; the theory of lighting: angle, shape, colour, movement, composition and finally, choosing, using and controlling lighting equipment.

Neil Fraser has specialized in the communication of theatre technical arts and dramatic history to students at all levels for over twenty years. He is resident at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where he is Director of Technical Courses. He is author of several books on stage lighting and theatre history. Simon Bennison studied lighting design at RADA and at the Yale School of Drama. He has been a member of the Royal Opera House lighting department since 1991and is currently lighting manager at Covent Garden. His lighting designs include work for the Royal Court, English Touring Opera and the English National Ballet. In 2000 he lit the Samsung pavilion for the Olympic Games in Sydney.