About Me

I am a Lighting Designer, QLab designer and general technician based in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Across the last 5 years I have worked across the UK as well as international tours to the USA, Thailand and Australia in various design roles. I love experimentation both with my designs and with new hardware and software.

I am highly proficient with ETC EOS boards and have substantial experience of QLab programming and live sound mixing.

Currently Working On

The Fit PrinceLighting Designer / Qlab Design / Video TechnicianAwkward Productions
Fly You FoolsLighting DesignerRecent Cutbacks
Victoria Tunnel EventsLighting Consultant / InstallationOuseburn Trust
Assembly Rooms NewcastleLighting Designer/Creative ConsultantAssembly Rooms/Niltoni Entertainment
Royal Academy of DanceLighting DesignerRAD

Previous Work

Public InterestVideo Operator
Common/Wealth
Hold On To Your ButtsRelighter
Recent Cutbacks
Kevin!Video Consultant
Recent Cutbacks
Gosforth Civic TheatreVenue Technician
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Tyne Theatre and Opera HouseVenue Technician
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Diana: The Untold and Untrue StoryLighting Designer / Qlab Consultant
Awkward Productions
Gwyneth Goes SkiingLighting Designer / Qlab Design
Awkward Productions
Ed Gamble: Hot Diggety DogSupport Technician
Avalon Entertainment
Ugly SistersRelighter
Piss/Carnation
DuckRelighter
Two Magpies/Pleasance
How to Kill A ChickenLighting Designer
Gigi Tisminetzky
Julius CaesarAssociate Lighting Designer
Icarus Theatre
Pak it InLighting Designer
Adam Lqbal
Outlawed: Christmas CabaretLighting Designer
Nonsuch Studios
Trainspotting LiveProduction LX
Seabright Productions
Nottingham PlayhouseLX/Stage Tech
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Optimistic: Elizabeth HolmesLighting Designer
Sarah Deller (Edinburgh Fringe)
Peter PanSound Designer/Lighting Collaborator
Nottingham New Theatre
InitiationLighting/Sound Designer
Letter for Letter Theatre
HamletLighting Designer
Nottingham New Theatre
Choose Your FighterRelighter
Votive Theatre
IdenticalAssistant Stage Manager
Nottingham Playhouse
Jekyll and Hyde and Hilda and MartinLighting Designer
Nottingham New Theatre
It's Not Rocket ScienceLighting Designer
Letter for Letter Theatre
IrisLighting Designer
People's Theatre
ArcadiaLighting Designer
People's Theatre

Testimonials

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"With lighting designed by James Appleby, emotional moments like Gwyneth bravely telling the court she lost half a day of skiing really hit the audience hard"

I

ILoveMCR

Gwyneth Goes Skiing

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"The lighting design punctuated each scene beautifully, enhancing the show’s rhythm and wit."

T

TheatreBeyondBroadway

Gwyneth Goes Skiing

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"Special mention too for the eye-watering visuals from James Appleby, who achieves practically West End productions values"

E

Everything Theatre

Ascension

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"Mesmerising Lighting"

A

Audience Review

Ascension

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"An Outrageous Triumph"

E

Edgar Wright

Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story

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"James is a gem and really helped us to bring the show to life at Nonsuch"

V

Van Huynh Company

In Realness

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"James’ design and artistic vision coupled with his technical ability have been invaluable to us as a company. He’s also an absolute treat to work with, which is why we keep employing him!"

J

Joseph Martin

Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story

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"The sound and lighting, which added so much to the performance, deserve a round of applause. There were some truly talented people behind the scenes of this production"

I

Impact Magazine

Jekyll and Hyde and Hilda and Martin

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"A special kind of magic"

I

Impact Magazine

Peter Pan