'Death star' chandeliers and disco dancefloors: making this year's most dazzling theatre shows by Miriam Gillinson; Photography By David Levene

On productions ranging from Les Liaisons Dangereuses to John Proctor Is the Villain, an army of technical wizards help ensure London's stage productions are believable and spectacular What d…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:36pm on April 13, 2026[SHARE]

Eyes on the prize! Backstage at the Olivier awards 2026 " in pictures by All Photographs By David Levene

Guardian photographer David Levene was at the Royal Albert Hall to photograph the stars and the special performances at London's biggest night of theatre No need for hard stares as Paddingt…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:36pm on April 13, 2026[SHARE]

'Beautiful form isn't enough': National Ballet of Japan " picture essay by David Levene With Interview By Gavin Blair

Photographer David Levene gained access to the ballet company as they prepared for Ballet Coffret, ahead of a UK tour this month where they will also be performing Giselle at the Royal Opera…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:12am on July 15, 2025[SHARE]

Stars so bright you gotta wear shades: backstage at the Olivier awards 2025 " in pictures by David Levene

Guardian photographer David Levene was at the Royal Albert Hall to snap Cate Blanchett, John Lithgow, Lesley Manville, Naomi Campbell and many more Giant, Benjamin Button and Fiddler on the…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:54am on April 7, 2025[SHARE]

Behind the curtain: what really goes on in theatre dressing rooms? by David Levene ; Introduction By Arifa Akbar

Ahead of next month's Olivier awards, photographer David Levene reveals the secrets of life backstage in London's West End, capturing the likes of Steve Coogan, Vanessa Williams, Paapa Essie…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:48am on March 3, 2025[SHARE]

In the workshop with the Royal Academy of Music's luthiers " in pictures by David Levene

Since its foundation in 1822, Britain's oldest conservatoire has created an important collection of musical instruments, artworks, memorabilia, manuscripts, letters and scores. The academy's…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:31pm on October 21, 2024[SHARE]

Behind the scenes with The Lion King in London at 25 " in pictures by David Levene

Our photographer is given backstage access at The Lion King in the lead up to the 25th anniversary of the London production at the Lyceum Theatre. Since 19 October 1999 the musical has been …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 3:54am on October 18, 2024[SHARE]

Fake noses, lucky tokens and a bed of nails " Sarah Jessica Parker, Joseph Fiennes and other stars reveal their secret dressing room routines by David Levene and Miriam Gillinson

Whoever wins next month's Olivier awards, global stars will continue to flock to the West End of London to give the stage their all. We take a peek behind the curtain … At what point does …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 2:24am on March 9, 2024[SHARE]

Motorised mice and hideous death masks: bringing The Witches to life on stage by Miriam Gillinson; Photography By David Levene

From mixing 20 shades of pink to not making the witch heads too scary, a behind-the-scenes tour of the National Theatre's new production reveals the craft that goes into bringing Roald Dahl'…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:42pm on November 27, 2023[SHARE]

Backstage of 2023 Olivier awards " in pictures by David Levene/the Guardian

Guardian photographer David Levene captures the atmosphere behind the scenes at London's Royal Albert Hall Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:24am on April 4, 2023[SHARE]

Come to the cabaret! Behind the scenes at the Olivier awards " in pictures by David Levene

Guardian photographer David Levene went backstage at the Royal Albert Hall for London theatre's biggest night of the year Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:12pm on April 11, 2022[SHARE]

'Part of the performance no one gets to see': stars warm up backstage " in pictures by David Levene

To mark the nominations for the Olivier awards on 8 March, photographer David Levene went behind the scenes at London's top theatres Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:33am on March 7, 2022[SHARE]

Something wicked this way comes: the Lord Chamberlain's Men on tour " photo essay by Chris Wiegand Photography and Interviews By David Levene

The outdoor theatre company will cover more than 12,000 miles this summer, visiting more than 60 venues. Guardian photographer David Levene joined the Macbeth road trip The Covid-19 pandemic…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 3:06am on July 22, 2021[SHARE]

Behind the scenes of The Smartest Giant in Town " in pictures by David Levene

A musical production of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's children's book The Smartest Giant in Town is opening at the Little Angel theatre in Islington, north London. Guardian photograph…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 3:03am on May 28, 2021[SHARE]

Olivier awards greatest moments - in pictures by David Levene

The Guardian photographer David Levene takes a look back at London's biggest stage night of the year. The 2020 awards ceremony, due to be held on April 5 at the Royal Albert Hall, is no long…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 3:48am on April 8, 2020[SHARE]

Roll up, roll up! Circus 1903 " in pictures by David Levene

With all the thrills and daredevil entertainment of a turn-of-the-century circus, the sensational Circus 1903 returns to the Southbank Centre this Christmas. Photographer David Levene goes b…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:18am on December 16, 2019[SHARE]

Roaring success: backstage at The Lion King " in pictures by David Levene

Celebrating 20 years at the Lyceum theatre in London this weekend, the Lion King stage show has been seen by 16 million people. Guardian photographer David Levene was given exclusive behind-…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 2:33am on October 18, 2019[SHARE]

Behind the scenes at the Olivier awards " in pictures by David Levene

The Guardian photographer David Levene went backstage at the Royal Albert Hall for London's biggest stage night of the year Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:35am on April 8, 2019[SHARE]

Celestial Motion: a virtual dance experience " 360-degree video by Shehani Fernando, Francesca Panetta, David Levene, Anetta Jones, Federico Fasce, Alexander Whitley and Luca Biada

An immersive dance performance in virtual reality, Celestial Motion is inspired by the imagery of solar physics. Choreographed by Alexander Whitley and made in association with Sadler's Well…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 3:48am on June 22, 2018[SHARE]

Celestial Motion: a virtual reality dance experience " trailer by Shehani Fernando Francesca Panetta David Levene Anetta Jones

An immersive dance performance in virtual reality, Celestial Motion is inspired by the imagery of solar physics. Choreographed by Alexander Whitley, the interactive experience uses 360 filmi…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 6:00am on April 10, 2018[SHARE]

Behind the scenes at the Olivier awards " in pictures by David Levene

Guardian photographer David Levene was backstage at Royal Albert Hall in Kensington, south-west London Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:15am on April 9, 2018[SHARE]

Olivier awards 2017: behind the scenes with the stars " in pictures by David Levene

The photographer David Levene went backstage at the Olivier awards in London, amid the likes of Mark Rylance, Billie Piper and John Boyega Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:42am on April 10, 2017[SHARE]

Gongs, gowns and Game of Thrones: backstage at the Oliviers " in pictures by David Levene

Mark Rylance offers a tip of the hat, Judi Dench beams, and Denise Gough is euphoric … Guardian photographer David Levene used his all-access pass at the 2016 Olivier awards to capture sta…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:46am on April 4, 2016[SHARE]

Hot, cold and just right: watch the fairytale moves of Into the Hoods by David Levene , Matt Fidler and Stefania Orlando

Guardian photographer and film-maker David Levene has created a series of motion portraits of the ZooNation dancers in the fairytale-riffing show Into the Hoods: Remixed " watch and imitate …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:07am on October 30, 2015[SHARE]

Street dance storytelling: FlexN strut their stuff - interactive video by Lindsay Poulton, Josh Holder, Ekaterina Ochagavia, Matt Osborn, David Levene

Breaking bones, gliding, pausing ... are some of the contortionistic dance moves that make up flexing. But it's more than just a dance style, it's a culture. A Brooklyn group is at the Manch…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:09am on July 16, 2015[SHARE]