Theatre & Events
Marc Simpson has worked extensively in theatre for over 20 years, primarily as a lighting designer. His designs have toured within New Zealand and internationally and have been critically acclaimed.
Marc Simpson has been both lighting designer and the head of lighting for NBR New Zealand Opera, as well as for the National Opera (formerly Wellington City Opera), the Royal New Zealand Ballet, The World of Wearable Art (international shows), Circa Theatre, Maclary Productions, Footnote Dance Company and a number of other key Wellington-based theatre and dance companies. He has also lit several major Wellington events including the premiere party and themed street lighting for both The Lord of the Rings - Return of the King and King Kong.
Royal NZ Ballet Company
Marc Simpson has a long history with the RNZB, working extensively as lighting designer on more than a dozen of their national touring shows from 1994 to 2002. Highlights include the 2001 critically acclaimed collaboration between Christian Frederickson and Russell Kerr - A Christmas Carol, and in 2000 – Originals and Douglas Wright’s Halo. All productions toured extensively within New Zealand and required creatively strong and flexible designs.
New Zealand Opera
In 2000 Wellington and Auckland’s opera companies merged to form the NBR New Zealand Opera. Marc Simpson worked on a national level as lighting designer for the 2004 production of Carmen and re-lighting the 2001 English National Opera’s Manon as well as working as the head of lighting for numerous touring productions.
King Kong
The Premiere, 2005
Toulouse Ltd were employed in 2005 as an integral part of the theming for the 'King Kong' Premiere held at the Embassy Theatre, and for the King Kong Premiere Party held at the stunning art deco 1936 Massey University Buckle St building - formerly the National Museum and Art Gallery. As well as illuminating the stunning external architecture and the Carillon, Toulouse Ltd also designed the building's interior lighting.
National Opera
Marc Simpson was a principal designer for the National Opera (Formerly Wellington City Opera) from 1989 to 2000, lighting a large number of key shows that performed at both the St James Theatre and the State Opera House. Operas included Madama Butterfly, Otello, The Magic Flute, Turandot and The Masked Ball.
Hairy McLary Productions
Marc Simpson was the lighting designer for these highly successful adaptations of the ever-popular children’s stories from 1990 – 2004. The shows performed in Wellington and Auckland and some toured internationally.
Lord of the Rings, the Return of the King
The Premiere, 2003
Toulouse Ltd designed the external building and 'beast' lighting for the world premiere of 'The Lord Of The Rings - The Return of the King' in Wellington in 2003.
This included illumination of two giant 'beasts' hanging over the facades of the Embassy and Reading theatres. Toulouse Ltd also designed the lighting for the heavily themed premiere party - a key component of the overall dynamic design of the evening. The party, held at the TSB Bank Arena, made extensive use of set and prop elements from the film.
Other Theatre and Events projects
Toulouse have been designing events and productions for 20 years.
Some of these events are shown here
