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TV, Theatre & Film

UK firm shines world’s largest mirror on Copenhagen stage

Talbot Designs Ltd is bathing in reflected glory, having produced what are thought to be the world’s largest flexible mirrors  - which they shipped all the way to Denmark’s most prestigious theatre.

The mirrors adorned the Copenhagen Royal Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker (December 2007/January 2008).

Talbot Designs has a rather special ability to produce just about anything so that its order book often includes extraordinary productions, including work for Bond films and numerous other TV and film sets. In 1996 Talbot Designs produced part of the set for Twelfth Night, also at for the Copenhagen Royal Theatre.

Most recently, the Copenhagen Royal Theatre in Denmark used the three gigantic two-way mirrors, each measuring 12 metres x 7.5 metres, to reflect the dancers and performers from a variety of angles. Perhaps as extraordinary as the size of the mirrors was the coincidence, discovered only two days before the show opened, that Talbot’s chairman, Charles Woolff, would meet relatives who are also members of the cast. His wife, Mara Woolff, discovered that three distant relatives were dancers in the production and had the pleasure of meeting them on the opening night.

In addition to making the three mirrors for the stage set, Talbot has been asked to prepare back-up mirrors in case of damage. The mirror is made from metallised polyester film. Talbot sent two of the most experienced members of the installation team to Copenhagen to ensure that the Sugar Plum Fairy and the rest of the cast would be on display from every angle.

Richard Woolff, managing director of Talbot Designs, runs the 60 year old firm with his father, Charles Woolff. Richard Woolff says: “We pride ourselves on accurate, precision machining and a quick turnaround as well as fast, reliable delivery. Everything we make is custom-produced on site.
We are often called upon by film makers and theatres to produce out of the ordinary stage sets. We have produced work for the London Royal Opera House, Welsh Opera, Vienna Opera House and Dancing on Ice. Film sets including the extraordinary acrylic chairs, bed and tables for the James Bond film Die Another Day so we are accustomed to creating jaw-dropping structures”.