Hearing the light: 50 years backstage

The second in ETP`s biographical series, Hearing the Light is a fine accompaniment to Fred Bentham`s Sixty Years of Light Work Indeed there are many similarities as both authors have shared some similar experiences, including work in Product Development for Strand Lighting.

Hearing the Light however, delves much deeper into the theatricality of the industry due to Reid`s fanatical interest in opera and his many years experience as lighting designer at Glyndebourne.

This book is not just the story of one man`s career, it is also packed full of stories and anecdotes familiar to anyone having worked in theatre, and will certainly bring a few knowing chuckles to the reader.

Francis Reid has a good archive of his career and the book includes many colour reproductions of original production playbills dating back to the `60s and `70s as well as production photos and images of the author at work.

His story includes a sabbatical from the theatre whilst enjoying a boating break on the Norfolk Broads, although Francis the author was still at work and wrote a piece for Practical Boat Owner on low cost `waste` pumps!

This book is not a teaching tool in the way that Reid`s Stage Lighting Handbook and similar titles are, although the reader will certainly pick up some useful tips; but it is a very enjoyable adventure through the technological advances of theatre and gives an insight into the life of a dedicated theatric tourist.