This September, I had the pleasure of photographing Glenrothes Amateur Musical Association’s (GAMA) production of All Shook Up — the high-energy Elvis Presley jukebox musical — at Rothes Halls in Glenrothes. This was my first time working with GAMA, and it turned out to be a truly memorable experience.
A Warm Welcome and a Familiar Stage
Before the production itself, the company invited me along to capture cast promotional shots. I arrived early to take a full cast photo and some group shots featuring parts of the set — including a fantastic motorbike used by the character of Chad throughout the show. It was the perfect prop to set the tone for the production’s rock ‘n’ roll energy.
GAMA have a long and proud history in the local theatre scene, and funnily enough, I actually performed in one of their shows back in my early teens. So this project felt a bit like coming full circle — a chance to reconnect with some familiar faces and help preserve memories that the company will cherish for years to come.
Photographing in a Unique Venue
The Rothes Halls is a brilliant venue, but it also presents a few interesting challenges for photographers. Unlike traditional theatres, it doesn’t have a raised stage — meaning the performers were on the same level as me. The auditorium’s expandable raked seating makes it incredibly wide, so capturing the full scale of the stage and ensuring every performer was in frame took some careful positioning and creative thinking.
That said, the setup also offered some brilliant opportunities. Being close to the action allowed me to capture intimate character moments, subtle details, and dynamic angles that really bring the story to life in the images.
A Successful Collaboration and Exciting Next Steps
The company were thrilled with the results — and I couldn’t be happier about that. It’s always rewarding when the effort, creativity, and teamwork come together so well. Even better, GAMA have since asked me back to photograph their youth company, which I’m really looking forward to.
Working with such a talented and welcoming group was an absolute pleasure, and I’m excited to continue collaborating with Glenrothes Amateur Musical Association in the years ahead.
If your theatre company or performing arts group is looking for professional production photography that captures both the energy of the performance and the emotion of the story, feel free to get in touch through my contact page.
