Chelsea Ballet

46th Anniversary Year

Barry Hudson - Technical Director of Chelsea Ballet

Barry started working in the theatre industry in 1985. Prior to that, he was a specialist electrician dealing with electric motors and control equipment in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. After seeing his first show he fell in love with the theatre and joined the staff of the Music Hall in Shrewsbury as sound engineer. He went on to work as lighting engineer and stage manager before becoming technical manager. During his time at the Music Hall he worked with many touring companies including British Gas Central Ballet, Lewis London Ballet, Vienna Festival Ballet, London City Ballet, Diversions (now National Dance Company Wales) and Phoenix Dance Theatre to name just a few.

In 1988 Barry left the Music Hall and spent the next three years with the Vienna Festival Ballet. During this time he was the company’s only technician and was responsible for staging, lighting, sound and flying. He even performed as the Duke in Giselle for a whole season in addition to doing all the technical work.

Until July 2010 Barry was deputy team manager at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Working mainly with stage and flying automation, he toured with both the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet to countries such as Turkey, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Korea and Japan.

Barry is now working for the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman as head of stage and operations. Despite being so far from London, he is still providing technical advice and support to Chelsea Ballet.

© 2013 Chelsea Ballet