Curtain Call has announced the publication of their first book Curtain Call: A Year Backstage in London Theatre.
This new book will feature brand new backstage photography from nearly 60 different productions in the 2015/2016 season in London, created by photographer Matt Humphrey and actor John Schwab.
It is the first in a series of photography books created by the pair and is inspired by the upcoming 40th anniversary of the Olivier awards.
In addition to the exclusive backstage photography, the book will also feature a foreword by renowned actor David Suchet and extended interviews with Chief Executive of The Old Vic Sally Greene, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Vicky Featherstone,casting director Jessica Ronane and actress Kate Fleetwood.
Curtain Call is a new company set up by Humphrey and Schwab, for people who work in and are passionate about the world of theatre.
To create the book, the pair were given unprecedented access to the backstage areas in London’s theatres. The photographs in the book are taken from onstage, in the wings and behind-the-scenes from productions such as Hamlet at the Barbican Theatre starring Benedict Cumberbatch, American Buffalo at Wyndham’s Theatre starring John Goodman, Damian Lewis and Tom Sturridge and The Audience starring Kristin Scott Thomas at the Apollo Theatre.
John Schwab said: “I am very grateful to all of the cast, crew, creative, production teams and agents that allowed us into that wonderful space that is backstage during a show. Having spent nearly 20 years on stage in London and around the world, it is an absolute pleasure to invite the public to take a glimpse at this magical world and gain an insight into what it’s like to be a theatre professional backstage during a London theatre show.”
Meanwhile Matt Hemphrey commented: “this book is a celebration of the expertise, diversity and extraordinary talent that characterise this thriving industry.”
The pair met while working at the Old Vic Theatre in 2009 (John on stage, and Matt backstage). Together they founded Curtain Call in 2015, with a view to celebrating and promoting the work of cast, crew and creatives that work behind the scenes. As well as the book, they have been developing a database and networking website for the theatre industry, populated by exclusive visual and non-visual content.
Curtain Call: A Year Backstage in London Theatre will cost £45 and will be released on the 28th March.