This is the remarkable story of how an upstart enterprise, Theatre Projects, shook up the world of theatre. Establishing the professions of stage lighting, sound design, and theatre consulting in Britain, Theatre Projects went on to revolutionize theatre design in the United States and internationally.

A Theatre Project takes the reader through the stage door: where he shares the thrills of lighting up the West End and Broadway; producing with Hal Prince, Steve Sondheim, and stars such as Judi Dench, Elaine Stritch, and Paul Scofield; dipping a toe into the giddy waters of film and television with Swallows and Amazons, and All You Need is Love; becoming part of the birth of the National Theatre with Sir Laurence Olivier. We follow Theatre Projects as it partners with such architectural icons as Frank Gehry, Norman Foster, and Rem Koolhaas, and builds theatres, concert halls and opera houses around the world.

After over-expansion in the 1980s led to disaster, the group re-charged its creative vision, ultimately transforming the shape of theatre space worldwide.

A Theatre Project is a spellbinding backstage adventure that will challenge, provoke, entertain, and inspire all who love the magical world of theatre.

Richard Pilbrow is a lighting designer, theatre design consultant and author. He has been a producer of theatre, film and TV. He was a pioneer of stage lighting in Britain and was retained by Sir Laurence Olivier to be first lighting designer, and then theatre consultant to the National Theatre of Great Britain. His books Stage Lighting and Stage Lighting Design - The Art, the Craft, the Life have been international texts since 1970. Richard lives in Ridgefield CT, USA.

Read what the press is saying

"Huge and superbly illustrated . . . It's an absolute joy to read . . . a history of theatre from an entirely new and fresh perspective"
- Michael Coveney. WhatsOnStage.com

"These stories are page-turners. For those with a love of theatre . . . this book is a gripping tale"
- AK Bennett-Hunter. The Stage

"Fascinating theatrical anecdotes . . . a great read . . . extremely informative . . . and it's also inspirational"
- Martin Moore. TD&T

"Beautifully produced. Gripping, fascinating story. Very highly recommended."
- Rob Halliday, L&S America

"Essential reading for everyone who has had, is in the middle of, or is setting out on a backstage career"
- Francis Reid, Entertainment Technology

"Rich, engaging and insightful . . . jam-packed with wonderful stories . . . a visual feast. A Theatre Project is highly recommended"
- Michael Eddy, Stage Directions

"Fascinating story. A complete and most readable record . . . of the most complete non-acting theatre life I know of"
- James Laws, ALD's FOCUS, August 2011

"Essential reading . . . beautifully presented. An amazing project, this book - this life."
- Raymond Langford Jones, Sardines UK

"Richard Pilbrow's Brilliant Book: Richard Pilbrow has written the ultimate book on the creative side of theatre production . . . For the theatre afficionado, it is the perfect Christmas present."
- Musical Theatre News

For more, visit the book's website: atheatreproject.com