PROFILE

Adrian Rees is a highly experienced theatre designer whose work has graced stages across the UK and beyond. A graduate of Wimbledon School of Art, Adrian is known for his creative versatility, his eye for visual storytelling, and his collaborative spirit — qualities that have made him a sought-after designer for plays, musicals, and tours of every scale.

He began his career working extensively in British regional theatre, with credits at venues such as Leicester Haymarket, York Theatre Royal, Plymouth Theatre Royal, the Churchill Theatre in Bromley, and West Yorkshire Playhouse. As Head of Design at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, for seven years, Adrian oversaw a wide range of productions — from classics and new writing to musicals and community pieces — leading a design department that became known for innovation, craft, and attention to detail.

His touring work has taken him across the UK and internationally. Major credits include FAME the Musical and Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, the latter touring the United States three times. Adrian’s designs are celebrated for combining strong visual impact with the practical demands of performance — always serving story and character above all.

In London’s West End, his work includes The Fifteen Streets (Playhouse Theatre), 125th Street (Shaftesbury), Jailhouse Rock (Piccadilly), and costume design for Leonardo – A Portrait of Love (Strand). Each production showcases his flair for creating evocative, detailed worlds that enrich the audience’s experience.

For over two decades, Adrian has been a key member of the creative team at Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland, where he has designed forty productions and helped introduce musicals into the theatre’s celebrated “stay six days, see six plays” repertoire. His designs for Pitlochry — spanning everything from intimate dramas to full-scale musicals — are noted for their elegance, wit, and emotional depth.

Adrian believes great design begins with story and collaboration. He thrives on transforming a director’s vision into tangible, atmospheric spaces that capture the essence of a production.

Always open to new projects and partnerships, Adrian welcomes enquiries from directors, producers, and theatres seeking a designer who brings imagination, experience, and a deep love of live performance to every show.

Adrian is a Director of the Society of British Theatre Designers.