Nikki Scott’s passion for theatre carries through every part of her life. By day she is Managing Director of Stage Technologies, UK manufacturer of stage automation systems, but out of working hours she enjoys directing productions and running a summer school. Her latest project is directing Cassio Productions next show Side by Side by Sondheim at The Pump House, Watford which opens on Wednesday 10 May.
“The man’s a genius“ says Nikki Scott of Stephen Sondheim. Side by Side celebrates musical numbers from his early career including West Side Story, Gypsy, Company and A Little Night Music, and features standards like Losing My Mind, Broadway Baby and Send In The Clowns.
“Sondheim’s songs are so powerful and clever with moving lyrics. I first saw the show at Watford Palace in the late 70s. It’s what musical theatre should be – acting through song. The cast are made up of members under 30 and they are loving this revue style piece – everybody gets a solo!”
Nikki developed her directing skills whilst at University where she took shows to Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“ I was administrator of a huge Fringe venue in a church where the likes of Rory Bremner and Paul Merton performed. Straight after Uni I directed Bedroom Farce and soon after answered a “Girl Friday wanted” ad in The Stage. It was for Lighting Designer David Hersey (DHA) (Evita, Cats, Les Mis and Miss Saigon). We were manufacturing gobos – templates for lights that project a shape from the beam. I stayed for 10 years and eventually became a director.”
From DHA Nikki went on to work in scenic engineering & automation company Stage Technologies where she is now MD and “does anything in the company that isn’t engineering”. She has witnessed the theatre technology boom.
“There were five of us when I joined Stage Technologies, now there are over 200. Automation used to be done by clever individuals fixing bits to stage scenery to make it move. Cameron Macintosh was one of many who helped the industryprogress by investing in the business.
Audiences appreciate automation most when it is part of a spectacle or story – the witches of Eastwick fly over the auditorium, the barricade in Les Mis slides apart and swivels, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang takes off, the glass elevator in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory flies… But just as much goes unnoticed.
“Our work ranges from Cirque De Soleil’s major productions in Las Vegas as well as worldwide pop tours, Olympic ceremonies, Film effects and venue installations. Our latest projects in the West End include 42nd Street and The Red Shoes.”
In 2013 Stage Technologies was bought by TAIT,, an American company which is the world market-leader in staging rock gigs working for international artists from Madonna to Take That, Metallica to Adele.
“It is the perfect symbiosis between two companies.”
So what‘s next?
“One of the projects we are currently working on is The Bridge Theatre, a 900 seat venue overlooking Tower Bridge. There are always challenging projects ahead but our greatest challenge is finding people. As the automation business growswe are desperately short of new technical expertise. All sorts of skills are needed… computing, mechanical engineering, electrical/electronicengineering or a combination of the lot! ”
Photo © Origin8
Side by Side, 10 May – 13 May, Pump House, Watford £12/£10
Tickets from 07398214535 and cassioproductions.co.uk
www.pumphouse.info