Rigger
Simon Stone
37
West End rigger Simon Stone, 37, says start out as a flyman or as stage crew and work your way up. He did and is still at it over two decades later.
"I enjoy seeing how a theatre completely changes from one show to the next"
Hometown
Originally from Haywards Heath, now live in Hastings
What do you do?
Production rigger, Unusual Rigging
What was your very first role in theatre?
I did work experience as a stage hand with Kent Opera when I was 14. My first full-time job was as head flyman at Glyndebourne.
What else have you done in theatre?
Casual stage hand at Eastbourne Congress Theatre
Stage crew, then flyman, then head flyman, then started doing rigging at Glyndebourne
Have you got qualifications?
Five O-levels
How did you start working in theatre?
I joined the stage crew for school productions
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to do this job from when I was about 14
What do you do all day?
I do the rigging for West End shows, including Wicked, Joseph, Sound of Music, Evita and Sinatra.
It involves going to pre-production meetings and looking at the model of the set to see what rigging is needed.
On the first day of set-up I hang the lights and the set and make sure everything is working. All being well, riggers leave on the first day of technical rehearsals.
There was a 30-tonne mountain for Sound of Music, which was quite a challenge.
I also look after touring shows, such as Cats, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Starlight Express, which move theatres every six weeks or three months. I’m just about to go Singapore with Starlight Express.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I enjoy seeing how a theatre completely changes from one show to the next. Every job brings a different challenge.
And the worst?
The hours–I always work 12-hour days
What’s your dream job in theatre?
This is the best job I could have hoped for. I always wanted to be involved in big West End shows.
Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
The best route is the one I took, which is to get a job as a stage hand or flyman in a theatre. That gives you an understanding of the theatre and allows you to progress to rigging.
Read more about getting into rigging
