Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Buckinghamshire, designed by architect Norman Bragg
Artist in Residence at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, 2019 - 2022
In 2019, Peter was commissioned by Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Buckinghamshire, to paint a series of paintings to celebrate the theatre’s 10th birthday. The aim of the residency was to produce a range of paintings that reflect all areas of theatre life. From actors performing on stage to the backstage crew awaiting their cue or the selling of ice-creams to the busy bar during the interval, Peter, with sketchbook in hand, went to capture it all.
However, in March 2020 all theatres across the UK closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and thus, the residency was halted. What was once a bustling building full of life, movement and colour, went dark.
By twist of fate, Peter has poignantly captured the theatre industry pre, during and post-pandemic. His work reflects an era in the industry never experienced before. The venue's last few months before Covid 19 were thriving - sold out pantomime performances, buzzing backstage corridors, packed bars and a programme full of productions and events. Peter painted the theatre's last standing concert, 24 hours before the government closure announcement in March 2020. He revisited the venue during their period of closure, when only a single staff member was working in the venue, maintaining the sleeping building.
Since the theatre re-opened in September 2021, Peter has returned to continue telling the story of the theatre and to add to the collection of residency paintings, which he will continue into 2022.
Theatre Director Sophie Denney said of the Artist in Residence: ‘Peter’s spirit and commitment to this project has been overwhelming and inspiring. We feel an immense sense of pride as we reflect on 10 years of providing diverse theatre and community events, and Peter’s artistry is proving to be a fitting tribute to our exceptional industry and the teams who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure every visitor has an enjoyable experience. I encourage everyone to put a visit to see the exhibition on their 2022 to-do list!’
How to visit the exhibition
The exhibition of paintings is free to view along the main promenade of the theatre when the building is open to the public, including during afternoon and evening performances.
For further details about the paintings and residency, please contact Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on marketingawt@theambassadors.com
If you’re interested in having Peter as an Artist in Residence at your organisation, please express your interest by contacting him here.
Please click on the images below to find out more about each painting.
For prints of the paintings, please click here.
