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The Reset

Three Hours, Three Photographers, Three Theatres

 

Photographs by Laura McCluskey, Max Miechowski and Callum Su

4.30pm at the National Theatre. In the hours before the audience take their seats, the stage becomes a hive of activity in preparation for the next performance. For technical teams working behind the scenes, this time is essential to ensure that everything is ready for a smooth show.

In May 2024, photographers Laura McCluskey, Max Miechowski and Callum Su were invited backstage to capture the unseen side of our theatres during these reset hours.

This exhibition explores their different responses to the ‘reset’ time and offers a unique and intimate glimpse into the people and activities that happen during these vital hours. Between them, they demonstrate the skills needed to deliver the productions to a consistently high standard, night after night.

In collaboration with It’s Nice That

Where: Lyttelton Lounge (National Theatre foyer)

When: From 27 June 2024

Price: Free, no booking required

Open: Any time during building open hours – see Your Visit for details.

Gallery

A table with a fake green plant and plates holding fake sandwiches, devilled eggs, and plain white eggs in silver bowls. Behind the table are shelves of small labelled containers holding bolts, pins and screws.
A table with a fake green plant and plates holding fake sandwiches, devilled eggs, and plain white eggs in silver bowls. Behind the table are shelves of small labelled containers holding bolts, pins and screws.
A table with a fake green plant and plates holding fake sandwiches, devilled eggs, and plain white eggs in silver bowls. Behind the table are shelves of small labelled containers holding bolts, pins and screws.
View 9 images
A person with long hair wearing headphones stood in a tech booth at the back of a theatre, visible through a large rectangular glass window. There are empty theatre seats in the foreground and the image is in black and white. A man with short hair and a beard leaning back in a chair, in a dimly lit space. He is wearing a dark outfit and is looking to the side. Behind him are some wooden beams from a set piece and a white shelving unit partially covered by a cloth. A stack of prop antique books with red covers that have been glued together in three rows are on a table to the left. To the right, a single red plastic chair is placed against a dark, slightly worn wall. A large red number A woman with long hair stands in front of a backdrop made of hanging plastic sheets, wearing a light shirt, cargo pants, and trainers. She is carrying a large stack of equipment boxes that reaches her chin and looking back over her shoulder. The image is in black and white. A woman dressed in black and wearing a headset and microphone, facing sideways. She has multiple items clipped to her belt including multiple rolls of tape in different colours which she is reaching back to hold. She is dimly lit in orange lighting. A bouquet of bright yellow daffodils wrapped in cream-colored paper rests on a green speckled wooden crate. Part of an orange chair and a white label are visible to the left of the crate. Two people wearing headsets sat in seats in the middle of an empty theatre auditorium. They are facing away from the camera and lit from behind so their shadows cover the seats in front of them. The image is in black and white. A woman with curly hair is wearing a headset and microphone, standing in a dimly lit space. She is wearing a black t-shirt and facing sideways.

Featured Photography

About It’s Nice That

It’s Nice That is a global media company inspiring the creative community. With over 17 years at the heart of art and design, It’s Nice That has grown to reach over 8.3 million people every month. They share stories, offer insights and bring people together to help them make the most of their creativity. .

Visit itsnicethat.com for more information (link opens in a new tab).

Three white gallery boards with framed artworks displayed on brutalist concrete walls. The space has a contemporary design featuring a geometric ceiling. Two visitors are seated at a table in the background to work.
Three white gallery boards with framed artworks displayed on brutalist concrete walls. The space has a contemporary design featuring a geometric ceiling. Two visitors are seated at a table in the background to work.
Three white gallery boards with framed artworks displayed on brutalist concrete walls. The space has a contemporary design featuring a geometric ceiling. Two visitors are seated at a table in the background to work.
View 5 images
Several people are viewing photographs at an exhibition. The walls feature framed portraits on gallery boards with a white background. The room has a warm, ambient lighting, and visitors are engaged in looking at the artworks. A man with a beard, wearing a striped blazer and red shirt, looks at a framed photo on a gallery wall. The photo depicts the same man backstage in a theatre and is dimly lit. Two people view framed photographs in a photography exhibition. The main image on display shows several wooden chairs with woven seats, each holding a smoking pipe. Smaller photos are also visible next to the main picture. Three framed black and white photographs are displayed on a wall. The image on the left shows a portrait of a man with curly hair and a beard. The center features two people sat in theatre stalls seats. The right image depicts a person carrying boxes.

Exhibition Photography

About the Photographers

Laura McCluskey
Photo portrait of Laura McCluskey

Laura McCluskey

Max Miechowski
Photo portrait of Max Miechowski

Max Miechowski

Callum Su

Callum Su