Book Description
Taking advantage of the flexibility and choices offered by the advent of digital printing techniques, and the ability to 'print-on-demand', Entertainment Technology Press decided from the day of its establishment to include historical and biographical titles within its various book series. Potentially shorter 'runs' and reprints of important works could be included. It is a privilege for Entertainment Technology Press to include Fred Bentham's Sixty Years of Light Work as the first in our Biographical Series.
When it was suggested to Andy Collier, who was largely responsible for nursing the original book through to its publication by Strand Lighting, that we attempt to put the title 'back into print', he was enthusiastic about the idea. Once again he has assisted the project along its path with his usual patience, and ETP thanks him and the small and esteemed group who have in various ways enabled us to put Fred's work back into print: Bob Anderson, Roger Fox, Brian Legge, Francis Reid and Peter Rogers.
It is also a pleasure to acknowledge the agreement of Fred himself. He knew, shortly before his death in May this year, that this new edition was about to go to print. Also thanks to his widow Ilse and sons Freddy and Jeremy who gave the project their blessing.
The idea of including the complete Strand Catalogue of 1936 as an Appendix was down to the series editor John Offord, and it is why you paid more pounds for your book! The intention is that it will be of interest to many readers, and in particular, when future students of entertainment technology grasp its importance, this decision will be vindicated.
About the Author
Fred Bentham was a rare combination of artist and engineer whose life’s work had been devoted to theatre, cinema and TV. During his 42 years with the same company, Strand Electric, he not only invented and initiated equipment, but pioneered ways of using it. The artist in him developed the use of coloured light as an art form - colour music - which was recognised by the Art Workers’ Guild who elected him as ‘Decorative Colour Worker’ in 1936. His energies were directed towards the design of theatres and scenery, writing, lecturing and demonstrating lighting
Fred’s career spanned a period of historic technical development in
theatre, cinema and TV lighting in which he played a leading role. This book
charts his ‘apprenticeship’, starting with a model theatre and amateur dramatics in the 1920s, and on to his first job in the world of the ‘Talkies’ and
the cinema-theatres of the early 1930s. By chance, a unique vacancy at Strand Electric provided the ideal environment for his ‘theatrical’ lighting career to grow, only to be interrupted by serious illness, which provided him with much experience of another kind of ‘theatre’.
Fred Bentham tells of backstage exploits in London’s ‘theatre-land’ before and after the War, working at the S’Carlos Opera House Lisbon in the midst of the War, the first televised outside broadcasts, the Festival of Britain, development of TV and extensive travels in the USA and Germany.
The title contains only minimal doses of engineering and technology, mixed
with many funny and enjoyable experiences - the factors in Fred’s
career that has made it sixty years of light work!
