A Brief Biography

Luke has worked professionally in the live entertainments industry for the last seven years. 

His interest in technical theatre started at school where he operated the lighting for a production of Little Shop of Horrors. He then joined the Theatre Royal Bath’s Young People’s Theatre Production Group and learnt many valuable skills amongst the industry professionals at the Theatre Royal. At the age of sixteen Luke was appointed DSM on Peter Pan which was staged in the Theatre Royal Main House and subsequently went on to be employed for the Education Department’s annual Summer school, Storm on the Lawn.

He has also always a keen interest in community theatre and has directed a number of pieces for local companies. He made his directing debut at the age of fifteen with the Bathford Players and a production of Peter Gordon’s Murdered to Death. Since then he has directed (or co-directed), Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Aladdin and Cinderella for the Bathford Players.

Luke spent two years at the City of Bath College studying a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts (Performance) – finishing the course with a triple distinction grade. Although he took the acting course (and continues to act occasionally now), his real love is theatre and event production.

In 2004 Luke gained a place at GSA (Guildford School of Acting) Conservatoire to study Stage Management and Technical Theatre where he was put on the AP(e)L (Accreditation to Prior Experience Learning) one year fast-track course.

Upon leaving GSA Luke went straight to work as a freelance technician working for a number of companies around the Bath area including Theatek Ltd, Enlightened Lighting and Invention Arts (now Chapel Arts Centre).

In 2007 he spent eight months working at The Bristol Hippodrome, three of which were spent working on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Other shows worked on include: Chicago & Starlight Express.

In August 2007 Luke was appointed number one casual technician at the Rondo Theatre, Bath where he still continues to work on an eclectic mixture of comedy, music and theatre as well as directing pieces here and there.

In 2008 he teamed up with Hannah Lee and co-directed a version of Philip Ridley’s The Fastest Clock in the Universe (which he also did the sound and lighting design for), at the Rondo Theatre. Hannah and Luke went on to co-found the Bathford Youth Theatre Ensemble (BYTE), with Lisa Croker and George Weeks. Their first production of a Christmas Carol was hailed as a success and enjoyed by all.

Luke spent a number of years as Entertainments Manager at the Royal British Legion Bathford, where he sourced and engaged numerous artists to perform at the Club. The role involved elements of party planning with numerous successful themed events where the club was transformed into places such as the Wild West or a seventies discoteque.

Luke is also one of four editors for the Bathford Bulletin, a monthly community magazine which contains news and events and is delivered to every house in the village.

Three years ago, Luke returned to the City of Bath College to work as Performing Arts Technician and Production Manager. He has recently left to explore new avenues of work.

In 2010, Luke successfully helped to set up and co-organise the Bathford Summer Festival with Cas Gillard. The first festival ran for fifteen days with different events by local community groups happening throughout. The festival has gone from strength to strength and continued to grow this year. Plans are already under way for the Queen’s Jubilee weekend in 2012.

Luke has recently been seen mixing the sound for the fantastic Bath Blues Brothers - one of the countries top Blues Brothers Tribute acts.

Luke returned to GSA Conservatoire in 2010 to complete the degree extension to his course.

He graduated in 2011 with a BA(Hons) Degree in Professional Production Skills.

Photographs. Top Right - Alice The Musical (Lx Design by LJ Emmett), Middle Left - Animal Farm (Lx Design LJ Emmett), Bottom Right - Snarl! at Bathford Summer Festival - Photo © Copyright Julian Foxon.