This week I had the pleasure of photographing Limelight Productions’ performance of Grease at the stunning Alhambra Theatre. I’ve photographed Grease on multiple occasions before, but this one meant more to me than ever. The cast and crew included close friends, business partners, and my wife, so I really wanted to do the very best job possible for everyone involved.
A Classic Venue with Its Own Challenges
The Alhambra Theatre is a beautiful space, rich in atmosphere and full of character - but it also comes with a few logistical challenges for photographers. There’s no centre aisle, which means getting those wide shots of the full stage involves a bit of strategic running. At the front, the stage itself is quite high, which makes capturing the perfect angles tricky, but I’m delighted with how the final images turned out and with the response from the cast and production team.
Collaboration and Creative Energy
For this production, I was working alongside Ben Hughes, a talented videographer who created a fantastic trailer that you can find on Limelight Productions’ social channels. We worked seamlessly together - managing to capture every key moment without getting in each other’s way. It’s always brilliant when photography and video can complement each other like that, giving the show the coverage it truly deserves.
Colour, Character, and Choreography
The show itself was an absolute blast - packed with energy, colour, and that unmistakable Grease charisma. The choreography was one of the standout elements, so I made sure to capture plenty of wide shots that showcased the movement and energy on stage. Of course, Grease is also full of iconic characters that everyone recognises instantly, so getting those expressive, character-driven shots was a top priority too and I tried not to be too bias in capturing shots focusing only on my wife whenever she was on stage!
The Gear and the Process
Once again, my Canon R5 paired with the RF lenses proved their worth - producing crisp, clean images even in the low-light conditions that come with live theatre photography. The combination has been performing beautifully lately, helping me focus on creativity without worrying about the technical limitations.
Behind the Curtain
In addition to photographing the live performance, I spent some time backstage during show week, snapping candid moments from the wings and working with the crew. These behind-the-scenes shots offer a completely different perspective and I had such a great time getting to be a small part of the show having originally been part of the cast but dropping out due to work commitments.
It’s always amazing to work with a company like Limelight Productions, and this project reminded me once again just how rewarding it is to combine photography with theatre storytelling. I’d love to collaborate with other production companies looking for professional, creative photography - both onstage and behind the scenes.
If you’re planning a production and would like to capture its energy and artistry through vibrant, professional photography, get in touch via my contact page.
