Guildhall Production Studio rounds off a successful 2024 with ‘Christmas at Waddesdon’
Guildhall Production Studio rounds off a successful 2024 with ‘Christmas at Waddesdon’
Guildhall Production Studio, part of Guildhall School of Music & Drama, has collaborated with renowned theatre designer Tom Piper MBE on this year’s Christmas experience at Waddesdon Manor.
Guildhall’s Electronic & Produced Music students and staff have crafted a soundscape to accompany Piper’s enchanting Sleeping Beauty installation as part of the festive celebrations at Waddesdon Manor – the spectacular Rothschild family estate in Buckinghamshire, now managed by the National Trust.
The installation, which can be seen until 5 January 2025, draws visitors into a magical reimagining of the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, inspired by a set of paintings by Russian designer Léon Bakst which are displayed inside Waddesdon.
It rounds off a hugely successful period for Guildhall Production Studio, which launched earlier this year, building on the work of Guildhall Live Events. The award-winning, full-service production studio employs advanced technologies to deliver captivating results in the public and private sector, bridging creative and commercial projects and working in multiple disciplines across performing arts and technology.
The Studio, which also undertakes Research & Development activities, draws together expertise from across Guildhall School, including Professor Julian Hepple as Technical Director, Professor Mike Roberts as Musical Director and Dan Shorten as Creative Director.
In the above video about the making of the Sleeping Beauty installation, Mike Roberts commented: “What really excites us is the opportunity to work at Waddesdon, as it’s such an amazing place. Getting involved with Tom Piper on a major installation in the house is a fantastic opportunity for the students.”
Mimi Hemchaoui, Head of Audio Operations at Guildhall School, said: “Not only have the Electronic & Produced Music students designed the soundscape, but they also came to Waddesdon and helped with the installation. We were overcome by the fantastical nature of the building itself, and working alongside the existing team was an amazing experience. It felt like we were all Santa's little helpers, preparing for Christmas!”
Christmas at Waddesdon is the latest in many exciting, high-profile collaborations by Guildhall Production Studio in recent months. In October, staff, students and alumni contributed to the Derry Halloween Festival, where they worked with acclaimed ghost-storyteller Madeline McCully to create large-scale animations and original music for The Spirits of Derry’s Past. The animations, with a haunting soundscape created by Guildhall Electronic & Produced Music students, brought the city’s rich folklore to life during Europe’s largest Halloween celebration.
Guildhall Production Studio also returned to the award-winning Lightpool Festival in Blackpool in October, where they unveiled ‘Pulse’, a stunning light and sound installation that transformed the Wedding Chapel at Festival House. With projection mapping by Digital Design Production students and a soundscape by Electronic & Produced Music students, this immersive experience merged the historical architecture of the Chapel with contemporary digital artistry.
In July 2024, Guildhall Production Studio was commissioned to present OrchestRAVE, a spectacular orchestral celebration of UKF’s 15th anniversary, marking a major milestone for UK bass music. This special performance featured over 40 artists and alumni from Guildhall School of Music & Drama, bringing drum and bass music to the Barbican in a dynamic fusion of orchestral and rave culture. The concert garnered hundreds of hugely positive comments from audience members and continues to receive a phenomenal response on social media, with more than 125k views on YouTube.
With each project, Guildhall Production Studio continues to showcase its remarkable talent for using new and emerging technologies to open up creative experiences to wider audiences, and provide Guildhall students and alumni with invaluable experience working on high-profile, large-scale public productions.
Kieron Tilley, Account Director at Guildhall Production Studio, said: "Guildhall Production Studio’s Autumn 2024 season has been an incredible showcase of the talent, creativity and ambition of Guildhall’s students and staff. It’s been a privilege to collaborate with so many incredible organisations and world-class artists, and each project has offered a unique opportunity for our students to engage with cutting-edge work and create truly ground-breaking events. I’m excited for what 2025 brings as we continue to explore the future of live events and immersive experiences.”
Christmas at Waddesdon runs until 5 January 2025. For more information and to plan your visit, please visit the Waddesdon Manor website.
Find out more about Guildhall Production Studio’s work on their website.
Images © Darren Merriman (Waddesdon Sleeping Beauty installation), Brian Morrison Photography (Derry Halloween Festival), Luke Bryant (OrchestRAVE)