Sleepless: the Musical

Sleepless is the enchanting new romantic musical comedy based on the original story and screenplay of the rom-com classic Sleepless In Seattle.

The book is by Michael Burdette with music and lyrics by new British writers Robert Scott and Brendan Cull. It tells the heart-warming tale of Sam, who moves to Seattle with his ten year-old son, Jonah, following the tragic death of his wife.

Surrounding the houseboat home of Sam and Jonah are a series of LED panels, setting the scenes through period, low-polygon, 3D model silhouettes and overlaid hand-drawn architectural plans. We created much of this content in rehearsals, drawing plans and fitting the to the stage set as staging changed.

“I particularly liked the details: the way that Ian William Galloway’s video designs have the description of the architectural plans written along the top..” – WhatsOnStage

We created all screen content and worked with PRG and the production team to spec and install a full 10-bit colour LED system that could handle the smooth gradients required. Colour control was integrated with the lighting system so that it was always in sync with what lighting required.

“Morgan Large’s efficient house-based set whisks us between scenes with the help of a central revolve, plus nice touches in Ian William Galloway’s video projections: the backdrop features architectural drawings, echoing Sam’s profession, while a bar above the action is used creatively to clue us into new locations” – TheArtsDesk

Sleepless was the first musical to open in London after the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, with all cast and crew fully tested for COVID-19 every day, and separated from all front-of-house staff and audience members. This level of testing allowed the cast to interact relatively normally on-stage. Audiences were socially distanced when seated and masked thoughout.

Client:
Michael Rose Productions

Location:
Wembley Park Theatre, 2020

Services:
Video & Projection Design
Content Creation

Team:
Video Designer: Ian William Galloway
Associate Designer: Dick Straker
Associate Designer: Barbora Šenoltová
Lead Animator: Rafael Vartanian
Video Programmer: David Butler

Production Credits:
Director: Morgan Young
Production Designer: Morgan Large
Lighting Designer: Ken Billington

Photos:
© Alastair Muir / Sleepless