Photograph from Breaking the Silence - lighting design by Peter Vincent
Photographer: Malcolm Brown | From the show Breaking the Silence
Photograph from The Cherry Orchard - lighting design by Peter Vincent
From the show The Cherry Orchard
Photograph from For Services Rendered - lighting design by Peter Vincent
Photographer: David McKibbin & Tony Rogers | From the show For Services Rendered
Photograph from The Rivals - lighting design by Peter Vincent
From the show The Rivals
Photograph from Little Women - lighting design by Peter Vincent
Photographer: Tony Rogers | From the show Little Women
Peter Vincent's picture

Peter Vincent

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Biography

Peter started in theatre lighting at school in 1968. Before leaving he had lit a number of shows including Hamlet starring Francis Matthews (Francis Matthews Jnr), Clive Anderson and Michael Portillo as well as Romeo and Juliet with Francis Matthews and Madeleine Pratt (Howard later in Emmerdale).

After leaving school, he continued lighting as an amateur with a multitude of companies and in recent years has concentrated mainly on large scale musicals and theatrical productions at a variety of different venues. He lives in Basingstoke and reached 200 credits as a Lighting Designer (or Lighting Director as some of the earlier ones were on manual "boards") with Oliver! in 2017 - the total number of productions in which he has been involved in the lighting crew is about 700.

Peter is Lighting Manager of the Chesil Theatre in Winchester, which is owned and operated by its amateur members. In 2014, Peter lit the first ballet in the company's 150 year history and oversaw significant improvements to the lighting system including the integration of LED lighting into the conventional rig and two changes of lighting console (third on order!) so that the theatre now has lighting facilities the envy of many others with a larger capacity.

Peter's name will also be familiar to anyone who has applied for membership of the ALD or ALPD in the last few years, as he is the ALPD's Membership Secretary.

Previous productions

Previous productions

Show name Type Venue/Company Role Creative Team Opened
Bronte Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Sarah Jacobs
May 2024
TakeTen Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Various
Feb 2024
Five stories from 15 Heroines Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Daisy Norwood
Set designer: Peter Liddiard
Sep 2023
Trestle Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Martin Humphrey
Set designer: Peter Liddiard
Sep 2023
Spotlight On Youth Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Chesil Youth Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Tom Humphreys
Feb 2020
Rumours Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Flavia Bateson
Nov 2019
Fiddler on the Roof Musical Theatre Royal, Winchester
St Swithun's School and Winchester College
Lighting Designer Director: Sophie Clarke
Set designer: Polly Perry
Mar 2019
Delusions Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Chesil Youth Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Dee Jones
Feb 2019
10 x 10 The Sixth Biennial New Writing Festival Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Chesil Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Deborah Edgington
Oct 2018
For Services Rendered Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Chesil Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Alec Walters
Set designer: David James
Sep 2018
The Venetian Twins Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Chesil Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Mark Frank
Set designer: David Woodward
Mar 2018
Oliver! Musical St Swithuns PA Centre
Hampshire Girl Guides
Lighting Designer Director: Jo Ashwell
Set designer: Duncan Wilson
Apr 2017
Chesil Theatre's 2016 ​10x10 Playwriting Competition Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Deborah Edgington
Oct 2016
God of Carnage Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Mary Stone
Set designer: Duncan Wilson
Sep 2016
Juno and the Paycock Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Cecily O'Neill
Set designer: Peter Liddiard
Mar 2016
When We Are Married Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Lisbeth Rake
Set designer: David James
Nov 2015
Johnny and the Dead Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Chesil Youth Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Richard Curtis
Set designer: David Small
Feb 2015
Barefoot in the Park Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Alec Walters
Set designer: David James
Jan 2015
Little Women Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Vara Williams
Set designer: Duncan Wilson
Nov 2014
10 x 10 National Play Writing Competition and Festival Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Deborah Edgington
Oct 2014
Exodus Dance Chesil Theatre, Winchester
The Crossword Ballet
Lighting Designer Choreographer: Symeon Kyriakopoulos
Jul 2014
The Price Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Tom Williams
Set designer: David Woodward
May 2014
Dr Dolittle Musical St Swithuns PA Centre
Hampshire Girl Guides
Lighting Designer Director: Jo Ashwell
Set designer: Duncan Wilson
Apr 2014
Kick Off Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Chesil Youth Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Richard Curtis
Feb 2014
Home and Beauty Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Alec Walters
Set designer: Ian Fraser
Jul 2013
Getting Ahead in Style Corporate & Industrial Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Ros Liddiard
May 2013
Prin Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Cecily O'Neil
Set designer: Peter Liddiard
Apr 2013
Around the World in 80 Secrets Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Guest Production
Lighting Designer Director: Neil Kelso
Oct 2012
The Rivals Theatre Theatre Royal, Winchester
Chesil Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Vara Williams
Set designer: Ian Fraser
May 2012
Breaking the Silence Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Flavia Bateson
Set designer: Peter Liddiard
Feb 2012
West Side Story Musical Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking
Biz Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Erika Vincent
Set designer: A1Stage
Aug 2011
Twelfth Night Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Chesil Youth Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Noel Thorpe Tracey
Apr 2011
The Pied Piper of Hamelin Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Chesil Youth Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Graham Cranmer
Apr 2011
Kafka’s Dick Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Martin Humphrey
Set designer: Duncan Wilson
Mar 2011
The Squire and The Lord Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Bob Sinfield
Lighting Designer Director: Bob Sinfield
Feb 2011
Bedroom Farce Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Nicky Pink
Set designer: David Small
Oct 2010
Disney's Beauty and the Beast Musical Leatherhead Theatre
Biz Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Erika Vincent
Set designer: Scenic Projects
Aug 2010
Pygmalion Theatre Theatre Royal, Winchester
Chesil Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Noel Thorpe-Tracey
Set designer: Ian Fraser
Apr 2010
Fame The Musical Musical Leatherhead Theatre
Biz Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Erika Vincent
Set designer: Scenic Projects
Aug 2009
Stepping Out Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Vara Williams
Set designer: David Small
Jul 2009
We'll be Fine Musical Chesil Theatre, Winchester
Guest Production
Lighting Designer Director: Rebecca George
May 2009
The Constant Wife Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Caroline Helcké
Set designer: Ian Fraser
Mar 2009
Carousel Musical Theatre Royal, Winchester
Winchester Operatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: John Barlow
Nov 2008
The King and I Musical Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking
Biz Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Erika Vincent
Set designer: Scenic Projects
Aug 2008
Charley's Aunt Theatre Theatre Royal, Winchester
Chesil Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Tom Williams
Set designer: Robin Tuff
Apr 2008
Metamorphosis Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Flavia Bateson
Set designer: Ian Fraser
Feb 2008
The Wiz Musical Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking
Biz Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Erika Vincent
Set designer: Scenic Projects
Aug 2007
Much Ado about Nothing Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Noel Thorpe-Tracey
Jul 2007
The Pirates of Penzance Opera Plaza Theatre, Romsey
Romsey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: Liam Meggison
May 2007
Vanity Fair Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Sarah Hawkins
Set designer: Chris James
Mar 2007
Oliver! Musical Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking
Biz Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Erika Vincent
Set designer: Scenic Projects
Aug 2006
Hay Fever Theatre Theatre Royal, Winchester
Chesil Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Flavia Bateson
Set designer: Geoffrey Burnaby
Apr 2006
The Cherry Orchard Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Geoffrey Burnaby
Set designer: Geoffrey Burnaby
Oct 2005
Guys and Dolls Musical Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking
Biz Productions
Lighting Designer Director: Erika Vincent
Set designer: Scenic Projects
Sep 2005
The Odd Couple (Female Version) Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Martin Humphrey
May 2005
Oklahoma! Musical Victoria Hall, Hartley Wintney
Hartley Arts Group
Lighting Designer Director: Lesley Nicholls
Set designer: Juliet Hobson, Gary Comerford
Oct 2004
Bedroom Farce Theatre Plaza Theatre, Romsey
Romsey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: Ken Spencer
Oct 2004
She Stoops to Conquer Theatre Theatre Royal, Winchester
Chesil Theatre
Lighting Designer Director: Geoffrey Burnaby
Set designer: Geoffrey Burnaby
Mar 2004
Rock at the Vic Concert Victoria Hall, Hartley Wintney
Hartley Arts Group
Lighting Designer Feb 2004
The Memory of Water Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Flavia Bateson
Feb 2004
Round and Round the Garden Theatre Chesil Theatre, Winchester Lighting Designer Director: Ian Crowe
Jul 2003
The Pirates of Penzance Opera Victoria Hall, Hartley Wintney
Hartley Arts Group
Lighting Designer Director: Ian Shatwell
Jun 2003
Kiss Me Kate! Musical Haymarket Theatre Basingstoke
Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society
Lighting Designer Director: Sue Sampson
Set designer: Scenic & Property Hire
Apr 2003
Location availability:
  • UK Provinces
Non-professional:
  • Dance
  • Musicals
  • Opera
  • Plays

News

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

Press quotes

Bronte

The set was very well lit, and the changes matched the mood swings of the play, both set and light paired together, really adding to the overall piece.
Mark Allen, NODA Show Report 26/05/2024

TakeTen

The gaps between the plays themselves can be counted in seconds rather than minutes, making the whole presentation very quick and slick indeed. Lighting plots are minimal but help to create the necessary illusions and add dramatic effect.
David Cradduck and Helena Gomm, Winchester Today 25/02/2024

Five stories from 15 Heroines

As always, at the Chesil, the technical aspects are exemplary, with sound, lighting and projections almost becoming characters in their own right, and a set design which might at first appear simple, but which is used to constantly ingenious and changing effect.
Mark Ponsford, Scene1+ 04/10/2023
As always, Chesil’s (and set designer Peter Liddiard’s) attention to detail – the seemingly thrown together collection of eclectic props (including a lovely white 1930s telephone), the use of boxes, axes, knives, clothes, flowers in vases and bottles of ouzo, incongruous mobile phones, white Doc Marten boots, ball of string and a twig all add a somewhat surreal atmosphere which, combined with moody lighting changes and occasional musical/atmospheric sound effects create a very powerful impression.
David Cradduck, Winchester Today 03/10/2023

Spotlight On Youth

Sound effects and atmospheric lighting were used to great effect, sound effects being particularly well designed and perfectly timed to add just the right note of humour or suspense to the narrative, with excellent direction ensuring lovely characterizations, super storytelling and evidence of how well the group are learning their stage craft, creative performance skills and team work.
Anne Waggott, Scene1+ 13/02/2020

Rumours

The production elements may appear simple on the surface, but there is an underlying attention to detail which enhances and unites the production overall, such as the matching splashes of colour in the couples’ costumes and gift wrappings, the site-specific sound effects and the way that the car headlights are visible through the window as each couple arrives to the party. The set may be appear to be simple but the different levels and doors are all used most effectively.
Anne Waggott, Scene1+ 20/11/2019

Fiddler on the Roof

We were absolutely bowled over by Fiddler on the Roof. It was as good as a West End production. Everything was faultless, from the excellent casting, acting and singing, to the live musicians, the set, the lighting, choreography, staging, costumes and make up.
A St Swithuns Parent, St Swithuns Spring Term Newsletter 2019

10 x 10 The Sixth Biennial New Writing Festival

Special mention must be made for the lighting, sound and video designs that are used throughout (lighting designer, Peter Vincent; sound and video designer, Tony Rogers; all expertly implemented with precision timing by technician Vanessa Denson). With the stage completely white, the use of atmospheric lights and projected images really helps to establish and reinforce locations and moods for each piece, while the sound effects are perfectly pitched with accuracy and levels to ensure that they fully compliment the performances and writing, never overpowering, but always enhancing the overall production quality.
Anne Waggott, SceneOne+ 14/10/2018
Overall, the standard of writing, presentation, staging, lighting/sound and acting is superb, just what you would expect from Chesil Theatre.
Helena Gomm and David Cradduck, Winchester Today 14/10/2018

The Venetian Twins

Peter Vincent’s lighting and David Woodward’s relatively plain set make the colourful characters stand out. Great realism is not part of the deal, the performance being the all-important feature. No need for elaborate backdrops, this is all about the characters, the mime, the farce and the tradition of this theatrical which we still see to this day in various guises, including the good old Punch and Judy Show.
David Cradduck, Winchester Today 17/03/2018

God of Carnage

The whole show was very well put together by director Mary Stone. I particularly liked the way she handled where Michael Novak beat his wife. The whole lighting turned to a reddish hue as everyone on stage went into slo-mo mode. The lighting and sound were spot-on thanks to tech team of Peter Vincent, Jonathan Gregory, Jim Glaister and Kirsty White. The costumes were also right on the button thanks to Juliet Hawkes, Lyn Parker and the wardrobe team.
Bob Heather, 24/09/2016

Barefoot in the Park

The set and props showed excellent attention to detail, as did the lighting, which all aided the transportation into the lives of the characters.
Rebecca Case, Southern Daily Echo 03/02/2015

Little Women

This stage adaptation was enhanced by creative staging on different physical levels, excellent sound effects (including specially recorded beautiful a cappella singing) and atmospheric lighting.
Anne Waggott, Southern Daily Echo 07/12/2014
Being set over many years, the play goes through multiple locations. This was all played-out on a single split-level set, with the dialogue and changes of lighting giving enough indication for the imagination of the audience to fill in the details of each location.
Stuart Ardern, NODA Show Report 02/12/2014
We came to the theatre on the Friday evening for ''Little Women'', we were astounded at the brilliance of the production and we wish to congratulate all involved, we have never enjoyed a better theatre performance, thank you so much. That evening was also the first time we had been into the theatre, loved the atmosphere of the old church building.
TBC,

Exodus

The 45 minute ballet was underscored by a narration spoken by Tania Batzoglou and the accompanying music (composed by Stamatis Spanoudakis) although not original, suited the piece perfectly. Added to this were some beautiful lighting effects, which enhanced the drama of the dance.
Eve King, Hampshire Chronicle 04/07/2014

Getting Ahead in Style

Organiser Ros Liddiard said: “Planning this show has been immensely rewarding. Thanks to the set designer, building crew, lighting and sound technicians, a ‘proper’ catwalk in authentic fashion house ambience was skilfully achieved.
Hampshire Chronicle 06/06/2013

The Rivals

The seemingly simple set and good lighting easily changed from a Bath terrace to several interiors and in the final scene the beautifully painted backcloth transported the action to the duelling ground. This was all done in seconds, so that the impetus was never lost. The costumes were superb – good quality and well fitting – and seemed to be pretty well of the correct period. The whole production had a great 18th century feel and was much appreciated by the audience.
Margaret Fields, NODA 24/05/2012

West Side Story

The atmosphere is enhanced by Lighting Designer Peter Vincent, particularly for songs like Somewhere.
Suzanne Hunter, Brooklands Radio 23/08/2011

Kafka’s Dick

The deceptively simple set and lighting allowed the scenes to be switched in a way that was convincing but avoided distracting the audience from the dialogue. It is rare to find a play that can deal with so many ideas in such a deft and light handed way. The Chesil team certainly did it justice. I am off to the library to get my hands on some Kafka.
Jacqueline Redway, Hampshire Chronicle

Bedroom Farce

Under admirable atmospheric lighting, the set was splendid with astonishing attention to detail, enhanced by appropriate set dressing, props, costumes and the distant disco/party soundtrack to place the play firmly in the 1970s.
Anne Waggott, Southern Daily Echo
Permitting the audience to simultaneously view three separate bedrooms; the creative set and excellent use of lighting enabled the action to switch seamlessly from room to room. Sex may not happen in any of the bedrooms but plenty of other things do.
Jacqueline Redway, Hampshire Chronicle
I'm lumping the lighting and effects together, as one affected the other. So important, particularly of course in a farce, when lights go on and off at exacty the right moment, and this happened every time.
Audrey M Mould, NODA 09/10/2004

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

This high-class production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast is impressive.
Oliver Cownden, Leatherhead Advertiser 09/09/2009

Pygmalion

WHILE the Chesil Theatre is not, strictly speaking, a professional company, you could be forgiven for thinking that they are. And their latest foray onto the stage of the Theatre Royal in Winchester with Pygmalion helped to galvanise that reputation.
Warwick Payne, Hampshire Chronicle 08/04/2010

Fame The Musical

The Biz gave some of its youngest actors – at least one aged only seven – the chance to act on The Leatherhead Theatre's large stage and with its enviable technical facilities.
Tony Flook, This Is Surrey Today 02/09/2009

The Constant Wife

Chesil Theatre does it again. WITTY, sparkling, like the publicity says, yes, but there’s a whole lot more to William Somerset Maugham’s between-the-wars comedy of manners and the Chesil Theatre company brings it out in this impressive revival.
Robin Brown, Hampshire Chronicle 01/04/2009

Carousel

Being a Carousel virgin I felt at times the plot jumped about a little too much for me at times, but the whole production was executed with precision, professionalism, and most important of all, a sense of fun.
Hampshire Chronicle 11/11/2008

The King and I

The show was a colourful spectacle with attention to detail paid to everything from Music to costume.
Beth Woodger, Woking Review 01/09/2008

Charley's Aunt

Chesil Theatre's assured production elicited the maximum laughter value from the play, creating an entertaining evening.
Karen Robson, SceneSouth 04/04/2008

Oliver!

‘CONSIDER YOURSELF THE BIZ-NESS!’ ...staged an exceptional production of Oliver! to sell-out houses at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre in Woking. The show featured an ingenious set with moving staircases as the audience was taken on a magical journey from the opening scene at the Workhouse, to Fagin’s den, Paddington Green and the alleyways of London. The audience enjoyed a professionally staged, beautifully lit performance.
Woking News and Mail