Photographer: Richard H Smith | From the show Krunch
Photograph from O Go My Man - lighting design by Ian Saunders
Hostage Training | Photographer: Ian Saunders | From the show O Go My Man
Photograph from Timon of Athens - lighting design by Ian Saunders
Act Two | Photographer: Ian Saunders | From the show Timon of Athens
Scene 8 - The Bedsit | Photographer: Ian Saunders | From the show A Night Out
Scene One - Kitchen | Photographer: Ian Saunders | From the show A Night Out
Ian Saunders's picture

Ian Saunders

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Biography

Ian studied at Rose Bruford College and since graduating he has designed the lighting for various scales of shows throughout the UK ranging from regional repertory theatre, through fringe theatres and also including touring shows. The styles of shows are just as varied whether they are straight plays, musicals, opera, comedy or site specific theatre in a department store, nightclub or tent.

He has also been the Associate Lighting Designer for the National Theatre production of 'An Inspector Calls' as produced by PW Productions between 2005 & 2015 where he has re-created Rick Fisher's award winning lighting design for three UK Tours, and Australian tour and two West End Seasons (2009/10).

Previous productions

Previous productions

Show name Type Venue/Company Role Creative Team Opened
Oh What A Lovely War! Theatre Arts University Bournemouth Film Studio
Arts University Bournemouth
Lighting Designer May 2018
Bonnie and Clyde - The Musical Musical Bernie Grant Arts Centre
Mountview Academy
Lighting Designer Director: Tim Luscombe
Set designer: Colin Mayes
Mar 2015
Oh What A Lovely War! Theatre Lighthouse, Poole
Arts University Bournemouth
Lighting Designer Director: Kenneth Robertson
Set designer: Sylvain Perez-Jacobs
May 2014
The Importance of Being Earnest Theatre Ivy Arts Centre, University of Surrey
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Jaq Bessell
Set designer: Neil Irish
Feb 2014
Les Miserables Theatre Ivy Arts Centre, University of Surrey
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Jonathan Holloway
Set designer: Neil Irish
Jan 2014
Half a sixpence Musical Bernie Grant Arts Centre
Mountview Academy
Lighting Designer Director: James Powell
Set designer: Colin Mayes
Nov 2013
Jerry Springer The Opera Musical Electric Theatre, Guildford
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Charlotte Conquest
Set designer: Colin Mayes
Feb 2013
Nicholas Nickleby Theatre Ivy Arts Centre, University of Surrey
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Jonathan Holloway
Set designer: Neil Irish
Nov 2012
Don Juan Comes Back From The War Theatre Ivy Arts Centre, University of Surrey
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Xavier Leret
Set designer: Nicolai Hart-Hansen
May 2012
Spring Awakening Musical Ivy Arts Centre, University of Surrey
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Charlotte Conquest
Set designer: Neil Irish
Feb 2012
Iolanthe Theatre Watford Palace Theatre
Abbots Langley G&S Society
Lighting Designer Jan 2012
Jack and the Beanstalk Theatre Watford Palace Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Kate Saxon
Set designer: Cleo Pettitt
Nov 2011
A Little Night Music Musical Bernie Grant Arts Centre
Mountview
Lighting Designer Director: Jacqui Somerville
Set designer: Mia Flodquist
Jul 2011
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Musical Electric Theatre, Guildford
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Tim Flavin
Set designer: Roger Ness
Jun 2011
Terrorism Theatre Electric Theatre, Guildford
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Ken McClymont
Set designer: Ken McClymont
May 2011
The Full Monty Musical Watford Palace Theatre
Watford Operatic Society
Lighting Designer Set designer: Scenic Projects Ltd May 2011
Krunch Theatre The Albany, Deptford, then touring
Talawa Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Set designer: Susannah Henry Mar 2011
Nine - The Musical Musical Bellairs Playhouse
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Marilyn Cutts
Set designer: PJ McEvoy
Feb 2011
Buried Child Theatre Cockpit Theatre, London
Mountview
Lighting Designer Director: Richard Vincent
Set designer: Caroline Reid
Feb 2011
HMS Pinafore Musical Watford Palace Theatre
Abbots Langley Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Lighting Designer Director: Clive Bebee
Jan 2011
Trial By Jury Musical Watford Palace Theatre
Abbots Langley Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Lighting Designer Director: Clive Bebee
Jan 2011
Rapunzel (or the Magic Pig) Theatre The Mirror Tent at BMW Oxford
Creation Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Charlotte Conquest
Set designer: Lucy Wilkinson
Nov 2010
Her Naked Skin Theatre Bellairs Playhouse
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Peter Harris
Set designer: Tina Gardiner
Nov 2010
Beauty and the Beast Non-professional Watford Palace Theatre
Watford Operatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: Alan Cox
Set designer: Scenic Projects Ltd
May 2010
The Country Wife Non-professional New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
Suffolk Youth Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Michael Platt
Apr 2010
Frogs Non-professional Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury
St Gabriels Schools, Newbury
Lighting Designer Director: Sue Baxter
Mar 2010
Dracula Theatre Lighthouse Theatre, Poole
Arts University College Bournemouth
Lighting Designer Director: Ellie Nixon
Set designer: Bruno Santini
Mar 2010
Beauty and the Beast Theatre Mirror Tent, BMW Oxford
Creation Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Sarah Punshon
Set designer: Rachel Canning
Nov 2009
Sweeney Todd Non-professional Alban Arena - St. Albans
St. Albans Operatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: Alan Cox
Set designer: Scenic Projects Ltd
Oct 2009
Krunch Theatre Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham
Talawa Young People's Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Amani Naphtali
Set designer: Rajha Shakiry
Jul 2009
The Mikado Non-professional Watford Palace Theatre
Abbots Langley G&S Society
Lighting Designer Jan 2009
Hans Christian Andersen's Magical Tales Theatre Mirror Tent at BMW Oxford
Creation Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Caroline Leslie
Set designer: Tom Rogers
Nov 2008
The Baby Theatre Academy of Live & Records Arts Lighting Designer Director: Glen Walford
Nov 2008
Children of Eden Non-professional Leatherhead Theatre
Stagecoach Theatre Arts
Lighting Designer Director: Erica Lawrence
Aug 2008
Make Love, Not War? Theatre Drill Hall, London
Talawa Young People's Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Thierry Lawson
Set designer: Lise Marker
Aug 2008
A Night Out Theatre Electric Theatre, Guildford
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Ken McClymont
Set designer: Roger Ness
May 2008
Serious Money Theatre Electric Theatre, Guildford
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Gari Jones
Set designer: Roger Ness
May 2008
Chess Non-professional Watford Palace Theatre
Watford Operatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: Alan Cox
Set designer: Scenic Projects Ltd
Apr 2008
Woyzeck Theatre Southwark Playhouse
Carboard Citizens
Lighting Designer Director: Adrian Jackson
Set designer: Fred Meller
Feb 2008
Twelfth Night Theatre The Theatre, Chipping Norton
Oxford School of Drama
Lighting Designer Director: George Peck
Set designer: Sophie Jump
Feb 2008
Ruddigore Musical Watford Palace Theatre
Abbots Langley G&S Society
Lighting Designer Director: Linda Dyne
Jan 2008
The Importance of Being Earnest Theatre Trestle Arts Base, St. Albans, then touring
OVO
Lighting Designer Director: Adam Nichols
Nov 2007
State Fair Musical Main Theatre, Arts Educational
Arts Ed
Lighting Designer Director: Robert Howie
Set designer: Tim McQuillan Wright
Oct 2007
Charity Wars Theatre Pleasance, London
StoneCrabs Productions Ltd
Lighting Designer Director: Natascha Metherell
Set designer: Richard Andrzejewski
Sep 2007
Annie Non-professional Watford Palace Theatre
Watford Operatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: Alan Cox
Set designer: Owen Williams
May 2007
Hello Again Theatre Crescent Theatre, Birmingham
Birmingham School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Sarah Chew
Set designer: David Crisp
Feb 2007
O Go My Man Theatre Crescent Theatre, Birmingham
Birmingham School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Natalie Wilson
Set designer: David Crisp
Feb 2007
The Gondoliers Theatre Watford Palace Theatre
Abbots Langley G&S Society
Lighting Designer Director: Mike Monk
Jan 2007
Timon of Athens Theatre Shakespeare Centre,Stratford upon Avon, then touring
Cardboard Citizens / RSC
Lighting Designer Director: Adrian Jackson
Set designer: Fred Mellor
Oct 2006
Inglorious Technicolour Theatre McCarthy Auditorium
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
Lighting Designer Director: Laurie Sansom
Set designer: Philip Witcomb
Jun 2006
Kiss Me Kate Non-professional Watford Palace Theatre
Watford Operatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: Alan Cox
Set designer: Martin Smith
May 2006
Titanic : The Musical Musical Electric Theatre, Guildford
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: Gerry Tebbutt
Set designer: David Collis
Feb 2006
The Wizard of Oz Musical New Theatre, Oxford
Pele Productions
Lighting Designer Director: David Fleeshman
Set designer: Scenic Projects Ltd
Dec 2005
Fiddler on the Roof Non-professional Watford Palace Theatre
Cassio Operatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: Nikki Scott
Set designer: Martin Smith
Oct 2005
Into The Woods Musical The New Players Theatre, London
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Lighting Designer Director: Ken Caswell
Set designer: Susannah Henry
Oct 2005
The Shy Gas Man Theatre Southwark Playhouse
Sweetheart Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Garry Cooper
Set designer: Chloe Lamford
Feb 2005
Anne of Green Gables Theatre Bellairs Playhouse
Guildford School of Acting
Lighting Designer Director: William Renton
Set designer: Roger Ness
Nov 2004
The King and I Non-professional Watford Palace Theatre
Cassio Operatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: Nikki Scott
Set designer: Elly Rogers
Nov 2004
Grass Is Always Greener Theatre Studio 1, Battersea Arts Centre
Al & Joe
Lighting Designer Oct 2004
The Smallest Person Theatre Pod Deco, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, then touring
Trestle Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Emily Gray
Set designer: Tim Meacock
Aug 2004
The Ring Road Tales Environmental Destiny Nightclub, Watford
Palace Theatre, Watford
Lighting Designer Director: Kirsty Davis
Set designer: Chloe Lamford
Nov 2003
Lucia di Lammermoor Opera Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, then touring
New Sussex Opera
Lighting Designer Director: Michael Ruta-Moxham
Set designer: Jason Southgate
Sep 2003
News From the Seventh Floor Environmental Clements Department Store, Watford
Wilson & Wilson
Lighting Designer Director: Wils Wilson
Set designer: Louise Wilson
May 2003
Macbeth Theatre Corn Exchange, Newbury, then touring
Young Shakespeare Company
Lighting Designer Director: Christopher Geelan
Set designer: Bridget Kimak
Oct 2002
Il Cappello di Paglia di Firenze Opera Cochrane Theatre, London
Trinity College of Music
Lighting Designer Director: Michael Ruta-Moxham
Set designer: Jason Southgate
Jul 2001
The Importance of Being Earnest Theatre Manchester Library Theatre, then touring
Lip Service
Lighting Designer Director: Lawrence Till
Set designer: Richard Foxton
May 2001
Cor Blimey Theatre Palace Theatre, Watford Lighting Designer Director: Lawrence Till
Set designer: Richard Foxton
Sep 2000
The Brick Theatre Man In The Moon Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Michael Ruta-Moxham
Set designer: Jason Southgate
May 2000
Three Steps To Heaven Musical Palace Theatre, Watford Lighting Designer Director: Clifford Milner
Set designer: Rebecca Janaway
Feb 2000
Talent Theatre Mercury Theatre, Colchester, then touring Lighting Designer Director: Joanna Read
Set designer: Nancy Surman
Aug 1999
Passport to Danger Theatre Palace Theatre Watford Lighting Designer Director: Laurie Sansom
Set designer: Matt Walker
Jun 1999
Burglar Beware Theatre Rose & Crown Theatre, Hampton Wick
Grip Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Steve Canny
Set designer: Stuart Howcraft
Jun 1999
Gaffer Theatre Rose & Crown Theatre, Hampton Wick
Grip Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Martin Richards
Set designer: Max Scianna
Apr 1999
Darkness Falls Theatre Palace Theatre Watford Lighting Designer Director: Giles Croft
Set designer: Nick Sargent
Jan 1999
Love Bites Theatre Palace Theatre, Watford, then touring
Palace Theatre Watford Education Dept
Lighting Designer Director: Bernadette Moran
Set designer: Fiona Watt
Mar 1998
Wait Until Dark Theatre Palace Theatre Watford Lighting Designer Director: Giles Croft
Set designer: Neil Irish
Jan 1998
It's Now Or Never Theatre Chester Gateway Theatre Lighting Designer Director: Jeremy Raison
Set designer: Jessica Tyrwhitt
May 1996
The Traitor Theatre Bridewell Theatre, London
606 Theatre Company
Lighting Designer Director: Gordon Anderson
Set designer: Tom Hadley
Aug 1994
Location availability:
  • Australasia & Asia Pacific
  • North America
  • Scotland
  • UK London
  • UK Provinces
  • Western Europe & Scandinavia
  • Worldwide
Contact method Details
Email address iansaunders@west15.co.uk
Theatre:
  • Commercial Tour
  • Regional (Main House)
  • Regional (Studio)
  • Fringe / Pub Theatre
  • Touring relights
Musical:
  • Regional (Main House)
  • Regional (Studio)
Opera:
  • Small scale
Corporate:
  • Exhibition Stands
  • Fashion Shows
  • Award Ceremonies
Architectural:
  • Displays & Art
Non-professional:
  • Musicals
  • Plays

News

Appearing here soon... a collection of articles from the Focus magazine archives.

Press quotes

Krunch

Talawa's Flickr Gallery of production images
Richard H. Smith, Flickr 11/03/2002
Talawa's flickr photo feed for Krunch 2009
Richard H Smith, Flickr 30/08/2009

Dracula

A visually stunning, effect filled production
Angela Young, Bournemouth Daily Echo 13/03/2010

The Mikado

Lighting by Ian Saunders was superb
Josie Shingles, London District Area 10, NODA Review 24/01/2009

Woyzeck

Fred Meller's set, with its swirly carpets, tatty furniture and pinging microwave, resembles a drop-in centre for the marginalised. It all feels at once brutally real and grotesquely nightmarish
Sam Marlowe, The Times 07/03/2008

Titanic : The Musical

Ian Saunders’s lighting, which has to do a lot of the scenic work on the busy, crowded stage, marks him out as much more than a jobbing LD.
Ian Herbert, ALD's Focus 01/03/2006