Lyric life

Today is the beginning of our #12JobsofTheatre. Over 12 days in December we’ll be telling you about 12 different jobs at the Lyric to give you an insight into the varied and vital jobs that contribute to the work we make.

Each of the wonderful people that are currently in those positions have shared how they got there and we hope it will be helpful to those thinking about pursuing a career in the arts.

First up is Claire Bryan, our Company Stage Manager.

1. Can you explain what your job is?

I am the Company Stage Manager (CSM) at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. My job is quite tricky to explain because it involves lots of different elements. I am in charge of the Stage Management department, on most shows we would have myself, the deputy stage manager (DSM) and the assistant stage manager. A big part of my job is looking after the actors, sorting tickets, booking physio appointments, arranging interviews and much more. During rehearsals myself and the ASM find and/or make all of the props and furniture items that are needed for the show which could range from finding an old leather suitcase to making a giant pink elephant. Once the show is onstage I am in charge of what’s happening on stage and doing scene changes along with the ASM and any crew.

2. What made you want to work in theatre and where did you start? 

From quite a young age I helped out wherever I could on school productions normally doing the lighting and sound. When I was about 17 I did a training course over the summer with a local company who teach some of the basics of technical theatre and running a small venue, part of this course was to go to Edinburgh fringe festival for three weeks and work in a venue, which was amazing. From that I got offered some casual work at a local theatre. I started out in the lighting department doing fit ups, then became a follow spot operator which I really enjoyed. After a while the Company Manager offered me a job as assistant stage manager, I did my first ASM job and never looked back. I then became a DSM, Stage Manager and then CSM at the same theatre, before leaving and becoming a freelance CSM. I did that for a few years before becoming the CSM at the Lyric where I’ve been ever since.

3. What is your top recommendation for someone who wants to be a Company Stage Manager?

If you think you might be interested in working in theatre I would recommend trying to get work experience at your local theatre, even if you’re not really sure what it is specifically you want to do. Try and spend a bit if time with each department if you can and you might just find exactly what it is you’ve been looking for.

4. What is your favourite production at the Lyric that you have worked on and why?

It would be impossible for me to choose one show as my favourite that I’ve worked on because I’ve loved so many for many different reasons. I adore doing panto as it’s so much fun and somehow feels less pressured even though it’s always a massive show. I guess if I had to choose one specific show at the Lyric it would probably be Bugsy Malone, I know there are loads more but Bugsy springs to mind because it was hard work, fun, messy (really messy) and the audiences loved it.