Ordinary Dreams will be the third production Mike has lit at the Trafalgar Studios. He has also lit Lifecoach starring Phil Jupitus, and the critically acclaimed New Boy starring Nicholas Hoult. Mike recently received rave reviews for his lighting design on On The Waterfront directed by Steven Berkoff at Nottingham Playhouse and the Edinburgh Festival, which transferred to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.
Mike was the winner of the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design for the multi-award winning production of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George at the Menier Chocolate Factory which transferred to the Wyndhams Theatre. He has since also lit Hair (English Theatre, Frankfurt) Danielle Tarrento's production Happy Savages by Ryan Craig (Pleasance, Edinburgh Festival 08), the sell-out run of Havana Rakatan (Peacock Theatre), Five Guys Named Moe (English Theatre Frankfurt), Othello (Birmingham Stage Company), Lone Star and Private Wars (Kings Head) starring James Jagger and Shane Richie, Discotivity starring Michelle McManus (Edinburgh), Sit and Shiver with Steven Berkoff (Hackney Empire), Howard Goodall's Days of Hope (Kings Head) and Three Men in a Boat (Mercury, Colchester/ National Tour).
Mike trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and now works principally in the theatre, on television and where creative lighting solutions are required. A remit that sees him design lighting for commercial aircraft, architectural lighting for listed buildings, city banks and large corporate clients such as Orange and Wickes. He has also lit hundreds of parties and events each year for clients including Elton John, British Airways and Dell. Mike's previous credits include: Dick Whittington (Cambridge), the 21st Anniversary West-End production of Snoopy! The Musical (New Players Theatre), Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal York; The Palace of Fear, Leicester Haymarket; Exclusive Yarns, Wimbledon; A Laughing Matter, Mirandolina and A Laughing Matter, The Pocket Dream, York; The Glee Club, Octagon; Cochrane Theatre; Kit & The Widow and Fascinating Aida, Copthorne; Classic Absurdity, Birmingham Hippodrome; The Harare International Festival of The Arts (21 shows including dance, drama, opera and concerts); Mephisto, Threepenny Opera, The Duchess of Malfi and The Dutch Courtesan, Cochrane; Days of The Commune, RADA; The Snow Queen, Cadogan Hall; Spring Proms, Royal Albert Hall, 28 Takes on Life (Film); The Snow Queen, Barbican; The Rink and Larkin With Women, Coventry; Sweeney Todd, The Magic Flute, The Flying Dutchman, A Place at The Table, The Testament of Youth, Vita & Virginia and Hysteria, UK Tours.
Mike also lit last year's inaugral Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers Choice Awards Show at the Lyric Theatre.
For more information visit www.colekitchenn.com or www.lightingplan.co.uk.
