A photograph taken of David by theatre photographer Simon Annand, backstage during his run as Captain Jack Absolute in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of The Rivals, is to be included as part of a new photography exhibition looking at actors in the final half an hour before curtain up.
Simon Annand The Half
Exhibition: 24th Feb – 8th April 2012
PV: 23rd February 2012
Idea Generation Gallery, 11 Chance Street, London, E2 7JB
Simon's book The Half can be purchased for just £13.20 from our shop here.
The Press Release says:
Capturing the mystery and magic of backstage theatre photographer Simon Annand captures the intimate moment where the actor enters psychological negotiation in the final half an hour before curtain up. Idea Generation Gallery is pleased to announce a major exhibition from his celebrated book The Half, as well as a series of new and unseen images of London’s leading theatre performers.
For over 25 years Simon Annand has been given unprecedented access to the secret backstage world of London’s West End, shooting everything from Chekhov to Panto. This spring, Idea Generation Gallery will showcase a stunning exhibition of his dazzling photographs, including shots from his 2008 book The Half, as well as a series of new and unseen images of some of the world’s most illustrious stage actors.
The Half or ‘final call’ is the half an hour before the curtain rises, when an actor is left in solitude to focus on the performance ahead of them. This world of preparation is intimate, yet Simon Annand has witnessed these intriguing moments that the audience never sees. Portraying each actor as a worker, his subtle, engaging and intimate portraits allow the viewer to see the physical and mental preparation that is required as the actor leaves their day behind, in readiness for performing on the stage that evening.
”Simon Annand is one of the most amazing photographers I have had the pleasure of working with in the theatre…He is an individualist with an eye for the unusual. The results speak for themselves.”
Judi Dench
Annand’s eloquent photographic style reveals the private time of some of the worlds best loved entertainers including Anthony Hopkins, Cate Blanchett, Daniel Day Lewis, Judi Dench, John Gielgud, Vanessa Redgrave, Jim Broadbent, Jeremy Irons, Glenda Jackson, Jude Law, Charlotte Rampling, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Martin Sheen, Felicity Kendal, Kevin Spacey and Ralph Fiennes.
In an intelligent response to his surroundings Annand shows the conflicting emotions of anticipation, humour, happiness, fear and nerves once The Half has been announced over the tannoy and the countdown to curtain up begins. In a direct contrast to candid celebrity images in the media which are often predatory, these portraits are both vulnerable and emotional; each subject demonstrates a clear sense of purpose and their duty to put on a good show.
In addition to the works from his 2008 book The Half, the gallery will be exhibiting a series of new and unseen works that bring to life the flamboyancy of British musicals and pantomimes. Vividly striking, these works feature today’s top performers; Amanda Holden in Shrek The Musical, Kelly Brook in Calendar Girls and Danielle Hope as Dorothy. These larger than life productions are at the heart of British theatre and have made London a landmark destination for wider audiences. Simon Annand’s subjects revel in the success of musical theatre and his photographs have captured this thriving industry as never before.
Two features of the theatre landscape remain constant throughout Simon Annand’s established career; the theatre productions themselves and the dressing rooms that act as his studio. Simon Annand has seen these four walls become the ephemeral space each actor will call home. A collection of Simon’s still-life dressing room photographs will also accompany the portraits within the exhibition.
During 30 years in the theatre Annand has worked with the leading companies including: The National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal Court, The Old Vic Glyndebourne Opera, Royal Court, Moscow Arts Theatre, and the Comedie Francaise.
“For anyone to go on stage and perform live in front of an audience requires considerable bravura and skill. To repeat this night after night, and to keep it fresh, the theatre actor also needs to be highly disciplined and self-possessed.
Each evening an actor enters the building as themselves but will go on the stage as somebody-else. To achieve this transformation, a dressing room is provided, which allows him or her to make the psychological negotiation that is required between themselves and the fictional character. To photograph actors when they are "getting into character" is to see them at their most photogenic as you can see why they have been attracted to this particular thrill of becoming another.
In a world which increasingly allows us to have a “second chance”, live performance is a unique hand-made piece of
work, which is created in front of you and cannot rely on another take, as in film, or digital correction if something goes wrong. The performer is therefore very exposed and there is something endlessly romantic and heroic about it.”
Simon Annand
Information & Opening Hours
Simon Annand: The Half is open to the public from 24/02/12 - 08/04/1
The gallery is open Monday to Friday 10.00am - 6pm & Sundays 12 - 5pm.
For more information contact gallery@ideageneration.co.uk.
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