Renowned lighting designer and author Francis Reid reached his 80th year on April 19 and by way of celebration, his publisher Entertainment Technology Press hosted a special dinner at the Savile Club in Mayfair on April 21. Held in the magnificent ballroom of the club in Brook Street, the event was organised in association with ABTT, ALD and The Theatres Trust.ETP editor John Offord welcomed guests and tributes to Francis were given by Mark White, chairman of ABTT, Paul Pyant on behalf of the ALD, and Mark Jonathan, who proposed the birthday toast. Francis duly graced the evening with a response based on “survival” within the theatre industry and as a lighting designer.
Those who have read Francis’ latest title will be well aware that his favourite composer is George Frederic Handel, who coincidentally lived and worked in Brook Street for may years, a few doors away from the Savile Club. Fittingly, Katy Wood sang Francis’ favourite aria, Tornami a vagheggiar from Handel’s opera Alcina.
The evening was greatly enjoyed by all present, and considered a fitting tribute to a great personality and a great man of our industry.
Sponsors of the event were Artistic Licence, ETC, Harmer PR, Hawthorns, Lee Filters, Northern Light, Philips Entertainment, Rosco, Stage Electrics and White Light in addition to ABTT and ALD. Rosco provided a suitably engraved gobo to commemorate the occasion.that was given to all guests.
During the event a total of £840 was raised for industry charity Light Relief from donations made by guests in return for a signed copy of ‘Carry on Fading’, Francis Reid’s latest book.
Mark White said: “It was a great pleasure to be asked by John Offord to say a few words about Francis on behalf of the ABTT. Francis has been a member of the ABTT for 50 years and attempting to summarise a lifetime of experience and the generous passing on of that to others was not easy. All 90 persons attending were there to recognise a true Grand Master of theatre technology.”
Francis Reid joined Equity in 1955 and is a life member. He joined the Association of British Theatre Technicians in 1961 and has been a member of the Association of Lighting Designers from its beginnings. He is a Fellow of both associations. He received his honorary doctorate from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2010.