Wesley France is a lighting designer, technical production and company manager and works as the Lighting Designer for The Centre for the Less Good Idea.

France’s first engagements with theatre were in the late 70s in Cape Town, first helping out backstage, and later working as a stage manager before moving up to Johannesburg in the 80s to work as a freelance stage manager and set constructor. During this time, France also worked on a handful of school productions, learning how to both set up and light timeous, professional productions in non-conventional theatre spaces.

He would later start work as a stage manager and shortly after became production manager for The Market Theatre , touring internationally with many of the theatre’s productions, and learning new skills. In the 90s, there came an opportunity to work on a project with William Kentridge and the Handspring Puppet Company. This started France’s working relationships with both Handspring and Kentridge which still continue today.

France has worked with The Centre since its inception, and currently works alongside fellow lighting designer Matthews Phala to take care of any and all lighting requirements for The Centre’s Seasons of work as well as its smaller public performances and events throughout the year. France also works closely with the invited artists and collaborators of each Season to assist with any technical requirements needed for performances, and lend insights and expertise to best lighting and technical practices for these performances.

For France, The Centre is a space that allows his practice a greater deal of experimentation. The process of facilitating and shaping stories through lighting design, as well as helping young artists understand how lighting can influence and enhance their own storytelling process, is a central part of his work at The Centre.

PHOTOGRAPHER | Zivanai Matangi