Company Name: Lumiere & Son
Founders: Hilary Westlake and David Gale
Established: 1974
Purpose: to reflect the performer’s interest in the extremes of human appetites, both conscious and unconscious, as evidenced in dreams, madness, obsession, and disease. ‘We aim to give our audiences an entertainment that is humorous, spectacular, and thought provoking’ –promotion pamphlet for the planned 1978 summer show
Current Status: Disbanded. Company largely ceased to produce under the name in 1992, though Westlake and Gale made work and led residencies in the company’s style up through 2009.
Area of Work: Experimental and crossover performance, touching on aspects of new writing, live art, visual theatre, dance, site specific work, and installation.
Policy: Create and tour visually exciting performances; some creation processes happening in residency with specific communities, sites, or schools. Run by co-directors (Westlake and Gale) who formed a director-writer team; artistic staff and casts assembled by project.
Signature: Theatre in which language, choreography, and visual aspects are equally evolved. Work was usually both humorous and spectacular, non-naturalistic and using a high degree of stylisation to express interiors rather than document surfaces.
Funding: Arts Council Great Britain funded until 1992; some patronage funding.
Based: London, ICA, then Brixton.
Performance Venues: ICA, Battersea Arts Centre, Bush Theatre, Oval House, Die Lantaren Theatre in Amsterdam, Lyric Hammersmith Studio, and multiple collaborations with E15 and Wimbledon Arts College.
Audiences: General audiences; visual arts crossover, rock music crossover.
For more Lumiere and Son image please see Hilary Westlake’s web page.
Company Work and Processes:
‘Over the years, we have built up a nexus of performers on whom we can draw when we are casting. Having approached former members we advertise and audition for actors in the conventional manner. Certain actors have worked with us many times, some continuously, others returning regularly. Trevor Stuart has been with the company for over five years and has directed versions of Passionate Positions and Circus Lumiere with great success in Australia. Eiji Kushuhara, Colette Laffont, Barbie Coles, Neale Goodrum and George Yiasoumi have also performed in many Lumiere & Son shows, and their idiosyncratic performances have been integral to the evolution of the company’s overall acting style, and the use of dialogue specifically for performers rather than fictional characters. In our formative years the costume designs of Rose English, the lighting design of the late Nick Heppel, and the set building techniques of Jun Maeda all contributed to a body of visual values that has been fundamental to our work ever since.’ (Tenth anniversary booklet documenting the company’s work, printed by the ICA for Lumiere & Son in 1983)
Personal Appraisals and thoughts:
From the ICA 10th Anniversary Booklet, a conversation between David Gale and Hilary Westlake:
Hilary Westlake: I wanted [your dialogue] as a device from which to go out on a limb.
David Gale: Say about this limb.
HW: An attempt to express things in a different way. That’s what we’re about isn’t it?
DG: This has been the basis of our long and fruitful artistic marriage, Hilary.
HW: With the greatest respect, David, sometimes your scripts haven’t given me enough room to spread my wings.
DG: You have told me more than once.
HW: In Brightside we follow the travails of a dancer preparing for a performance. She has boundless optimism and trust. She is betrayed variously by her colleagues. We see her obliged to admit cynicism into her view of the world. My main interest is to find a language for saying that that maximises physicality in relation to music, rather than one which is enslaved by the serialities of a dialogue text.
DG: Fair enough.
HW: The script has become a piece of music and a poem.
Reviews:
‘This show, which explores the way the male and female sensibilities operate, promises exotic fantasies spliced with a deal of humour.’ Anne (McFerran on Jean Pool, Time Out)
‘Jack…The Flames! is like animated Dali with a dash of self-mockery. It’s a collection of surreal images and events that connect imaginatively rather than logically.’ (Naseem Kahn, Evening Standard)
‘Visually extraordinary, the show presents a collage of surreal images that have the frightening, funny, and inconsequential qualities of forgotten dreams. Lumiere & Son often succeed in finding something new and unique.’ (John Ford on Jack…The Flames! Time Out)
‘Sensual, violent, and very funny…a chilling metaphor of a society embracing rabid sensationalism as liberation. David Gale’s script probes the cancer with ruthless with and the company’s presentation is compelling and precise. See this.’ (Malcolm Griffiths on Dog, Time Out)
Productions:
| Productions | Venues | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Cow Concert Writer: David GaleDirector: Hilary Westlake 14 performers | Rainbow Theatre | 1973 |
| Tip Top Condition Devised & Directed: Hilary Westlake Music: Lindsay Cooper Cast: Rose English, David Gale, Anitra Jones, Eiji Kusuhara, Jeremy Newson, Linda Spurrier, Hilary Westlake; later Jo Bartholomew, Barbie Coles, Tessa Hatts, Koichi Makigami, Cindy Oswin | Science Fiction Festival, Die Lantaren Theatre Ovalhouse Revived in 1988 in Brisbane as part of World Expo 88 And in 1989 in Mauberge | 1974 |
| Jack….The Flame! Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake Lighting :Nick Heppel Cast: Rose English, David Gale, Anitra Jones, Jeremy Newson | Ovalhouse Bush Theatre | 1974 |
| Trickster Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake Musical Director: John Mitchell Set Construction: Jun Maed Cast: Jo Bartholomew, David Gale, Arthur Kelly, Cindy Oswin (later Eiji Kusuhara). | Bath Other Festival Pool Theatre Edinburgh Fringe Ovalhouse | 1974 |
| Hokkenkyo World Maker Director: Hilary Westlake | Venue information unavailable Info in photo plates, but not 1983 commemorative book from ICA | 1975 |
| Pest Care & Molester Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake Lighting: Stephen Whitson Sound: Laurie Gane Cast: Barbie Coles, David Gale, Tessa Hatts, Eiji Kusuhara, Megumi Shimanuki, with help from Mary Quist, Jenny Topper, Christine Wood | Science Fiction Festival, Die Lantaren Theatre ICA Ovalhouse | 1975 |
| Insolentertainment Director: Hilary Westlake | Wight Island Ferry | 1975 |
| Indications Leading To… Director: Hilary Westlake | Bath Last Festival | 1975 |
| The Sleeping Quarter of Sophia Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake Lighting: Stephen Whitson Sound: Mike Figgis Costumes: Rose English Cast: Gil Brailey, Eiji Kusuhara, Diana Patrick, Nicole Penn-Symons, Linda Spurrier, David Gale | York Arts Center Bush Theatre Ovalhouse | 1975 |
| Dog Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake Lighting: Nick Heppel Costumes: Rose English Props: Rose Waddington Cast: Kassandra Kolson, Gary Grant, Eiji Kusuhara, Collete Laffont, Diana Patrick, Tim Thomas | Battersea Arts Centre Ovalhouse 'Nuts in May' Festival tour of Holland | 1976 (running in parallel with Special Forces) |
| Special Forces: A Paramilitary Ballet Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake SM & Lighting: Paul Davidson Costumes: Rose English Set Design: Jun Maeda. Cast: Barbara Coles, Claudia Egypt,Neale Goodrum, Eiji Kusuhara, Collette Laffont, Trevor Stuart | Battersea Arts Centre Ovalhouse | 1976-77 |
| The Disaster Show Director: Hilary Westlake Devised with the cast | Performed site-specifically on the streets of Holland | 1977 |
| Passionate Positions Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake Costumes: Rose English Cast: Barbie Coles, David Gale, Diana Patrick, Megumi Shimanuki, Trevor Stuart | Brighton Festival of Contemporary Arts ICA Ovalhouse tour | 1977 |
| Icing Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake Set and Costume: Rose English Lighting: Richard Johnson SM: Trevor Cast: Barbara Coles, Tamara Killer, Colette Laffont, Julianne Mason, Helena Paul | Battersea Arts Centre | 1977 |
| Nightfall Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake | Made in association with Northhampton Arts Royal Court Theatre Upstairs | 1978 |
| Jean Poole Writer: David Gale Director: Trevor Stuart Lighting: Richard Johnson Set: Trevor Stuart and Richard Johnson Costumes: Melanie Graton Photo slides: Andy Cassels and Paul Derrick Cast: Judy Elrington, Brian Lipson, Anna Savva, Ella Wilder, Andy Wilson, George Yiasoumi | ||
| The Dancers Devised with David Gale Directed by Hilary Westlake Student actors | Residency with E15 ICA Polish Tour | 1979 |
| Glazed Devised by David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake | Chapter Arts Center, Cardiff | 1979 |
| Giants Conceived and directed by Hilary Westlake Text by David Gale | Residency with Wimbledon Arts College Tour through 1981 Edinburgh Festival Holland Festival Revived in 1983 and 1988 | 1980 |
| A String of Perils Director: Hilary Westlake Devised with the cast | Made in residency and performed the Albany Empire Deptford | 1980 |
| Ship Shape Devised by Hilary Westlake and Trevor Stuart | Installation created in residence at Nottingham Trent University | 1980 |
| Blood Pudding Conceived and directed by Hilary Westlake Devised and performed with Bradford College student actors | Bradford College Residency tour | 1980-81 |
| Slips Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake Music by Frank Millward | Residency at Wimbledon School of Art UK Tour Italian Tour | 1981-82 |
| Son of Circus Lumiere Devised with cast; text by David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake | Residency with Albany Empire UK Tour Edinburgh Fringe | 1982 |
| The Appeal Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake | Alter Image and Channel 4 TV | 1982 |
| Senseless, an opera thriller Director: Hilary Westlake Libretto: David Gale Music: Frank Millward | ICA UK Tour | 1983 |
| 10th anniversary booklet | Created for ICA events | 1983 |
| Beauty and the Beast Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake Music: Frank Millward | Collaboration with E15 | 1983 |
| The Shrinking Man One man show for David Glass Mime; text by David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake | UK Tour Edinburgh Festival | 1984 |
| Vulture Culture Conceived and directed by Hilary Westlake | Henley Music Festival Magdalen Island Oxford Albany Empire Deptford Recreated in Brisbane in 1987 | 1984 |
| Brightside Conceived and directed by Hilary Westlake; text by David Gale Music: Frank Millward Design: Sandy Powell Lighting and projections: Simon Corder | ICA UK Tour Edinburgh Festival | 1984-85 |
| Deadwood Conceived and directed by Hilary Westlake; text by David Gale Lighting: Simon Corder Costumes: Katy McPhee | Commissioned by Waterman’s Arts Centre Performed at Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Revived in 1988 as The Fragile Forest in Singapore | 1986 |
| Entertaining Strangers Conceived and directed by Hilary Westlake; text by David Gale Music: Robert Zeigler | Residency with Wimbledon School of Art Lyric Studio Hammersmith UK Tour | 1986 |
| Heart of Ice Adapted by David Gale from the fairy tale Co-devised and directed by Hilary Westlake Design: Iona McLeish Music: Jeremy Payton Jones | E15 Acting School collaboration The Place Theatre, London | 1987 |
| Nightlife Conceived and directed by Hilary Westlake Projections: Simon Corder | Residency at Northampton Arts Centre | 1987 |
| Panic Conceived and Directed by Hilary Westlake Text by David Gale Music: Jeremy Peyton Jones Projections and Lighting: Simon Corder | Camden Music Festival UK Tour Scandinavian Tour | 1987 |
| Paradise Conceived and directed by Hilary Westlake Text by David Gale Music: Jeremy Peyton Jones Design and lighting: Simon Corder Costumes: Katy McPhee Cast: Dinah Beamish, Sarah Benjamin, Melanie Pappenheim, Jocelyn Pook, Trevor Stuart | ICA UK Tour | 1989 |
| War Dance Conceived and directed by Hilary Westlake Text by David Gale Lighting: Simon Corder | Site specific performance at Nottingham Castle for the Nottingham Festival | 1989 |
| Taboo Writer: Trevor Stuart Director: Hilary Westlake | 1990 | |
| Fifty-Five Years of the Swallow and the Butterfly Conceived and Directed by Hilary Westlake Text by David Gale Lighting : Simon Corder | Jubilee Bathing Pool, waterfront Penzance | 1990 |
| Why is Here There Everywhere Now? Writer: David Gale Director: Hilary Westlake Design: Sanja Jurca Avci Lighting: Simon Corder | Soho Theatre Company coproduction Riverside Studios London | 1991 |
| Abduction Conceived and directed by Hilary Westlake Text by David Gale Music: Jeremy Peyton Jones Design: Sanja Jurca Avci Lighting: Simon Corder | 1992 |
Interviewee references: Hilary Westlake
Existing Archive Materials:
There are four main ways to access archival materials about Lumiere & Son.
There are archival holdings in Unfinished Histories storage at Bishopsgate Library and in the Theatre History Museum collections of the Victoria and Albert, found at Blythe House.
There is also Hilary Westlake’s website, which contains photos and narrative, and thisisliveart.co.uk lists that they have two folders of DVDs programs and flyers about the company, some of which is available online and some of which is not.
Links:
Hilary Westlake website
Bibliography:
Plays:
Slips by David Gale is printed in the collection Walks on Water, edited by Deborah Levy (London: Methuen Drama New Theatrescript, 1992)
Chapters:
Breaking the Boundaries: The People Show, Lumiere & Son, and Hesitate and Demonstrate by Lynn Sobieski. Contemporary British Theatre, ed. Theodore Shank (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 1994): 89-106
Books that discuss the company:
Reframing Immersive Theatre: The Politics and Pragmatics of Participatory Performance. ed James Frieze. (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016)
Critical Live Art: Contemporary Histories of Performance in the UK. ed Dominic Johnson (London: Routledge, 2013)
Devising Theatre: A Practical and Theoretical Handbook by Alison Oddey. (London: Routledge, 1994)
Performance Perspectives: A Critical Introduction. eds Jonathan and Sita Popa Pitches. (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011)
Acknowledgements: Sara Freeman provided research and compilation of information for this company page.