Sergey Jakovsky
Biography
Originally from St. Petersburg (Russia), Sergey has an extensive background in theatre. He was born into a family of two theatre directors. His mother Tatyana Jakovskaya, also a theatre critic in St. Petersburg, joined sculptor-mechanic Eduard Bersudsky in founding a kinetic theatre Sharmanka, in 1990 (www.sharmanka.com). Sergey helped out in Sharmanka from an early age learning the technical side of the trade. By the time Sharmanka left St. Petersburg for Europe, at the age of thirteen Sergey was operating the company’s lighting, sound and mechanical control equipment.
Since then Sergey has developed an interest in lighting and its influence and enhancement of visual and performing arts. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow and graduated with a BA in Technical & Production Arts in 2002, specialising in lighting design and technical management. Sergey has now lit a considerable number of productions in UK and Europe. He is also the lighting and sound designer for all of Sharmanka’s new work, designs & produces its exhibitions and theatrical collaborations.
Sergey has worked with a wide range of companies including:
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre www.sharmanka.com | Dundee Rep www.dundeerep.co.uk | Tron Theatre www.tron.co.uk
Traverse Theatre www.traverse.co.uk | Derevo Theatre Company www.derevo.org | Grid Iron www.gridiron.org.uk
Catherine Wheels www.catherinewheels.co.uk | Barrowland Ballet www.barrowlandballet.co.uk
Communicado Theatre Company www.communicadotheatre.co.uk | Dumbworld www.dumbworld.co.uk
Best Design nominee at the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2017
with Neil Warmington (set) for the design of Death Of A Salesman | Dundee Rep
Best Design nominee at the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2014
with Shona Reppe & Andy Manley (set) for the design of HUFF | Catherine Wheels Theatre Company
Best Design nominee at the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2013
with Charlotte Lane (set) for the design of Ulysses | Tron Theatre Company
Previous productions
Previous productions
| Show name | Type | Venue/Company | Role | Creative Team | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whirlygig | Theatre |
Platform, then touring Red Bridge / Catherine Wheels |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Gill Robertson Set designer: Katherina Radeva |
Jun 2019 |
| The Brothers Karamazov | Theatre |
Tron Theatre Tron Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Faynia Williams Set designer: Carys Hobbs |
Oct 2017 |
| Ghosts | Theatre |
Tron Theatre Tron Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Faynia Williams Set designer: Carys Hobbs |
Oct 2017 |
| Girl In The Machine | Theatre |
Traverse Theatre Traverse Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Orla O'loughlin Set designer: Neil Warmington |
Apr 2017 |
| Crazy Jane | Theatre |
Tron Theatre, then touring Birds of Paradise Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Garry Robson Set designer: Jessica Brettle |
May 2015 |
| Whiteout | Dance |
Tramway, then touring Barrowland Ballet |
Lighting Designer |
Choreographer: Natasha Gilmour |
Apr 2015 |
| Beowulf | Theatre |
Tron Theatre Tron Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Lyn Parker Set designer: Charlotte Lane |
Jul 2014 |
| HUFF | Theatre |
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Catherine Wheels |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Andy Manley Set designer: Shona Reppe |
Sep 2013 |
| Ulysses | Theatre |
Tron Theatre, then touring Tron Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Andy Arnold Set designer: Charlotte Lane |
Oct 2012 |
| The Government Inspector | Theatre |
Tron Theatre, then touring Tron Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Andy Arnold Set designer: Jessica Brettle |
Feb 2010 |
| Drawer Boy | Theatre |
Tron Theatre Tron Theatre Company |
Lighting Designer |
Director: Andy Arnold Set designer: Hazel Blue |
May 2008 |
Location availability:
- Worldwide
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Email address | |
| Website | |
| Agent name |
Cary Parsons Management |
| Agent website | |
| Agent email |
Theatre:
- International
- Regional (Main House)
- Regional (Studio)
- Small Scale Touring
- Education Establishment
- Touring relights
- Projection / Video Design
Musical:
- Education Establishment
Opera:
- 'Country House'
- Small scale
- Education Establishment
Dance:
- International
- Large Scale
- Medium Scale
Architectural:
- Displays & Art
- Open Air Events
News
Appearing here soon... a collection of articles from the Focus magazine archives.
Portfolio
Press quotes
Whirlygig
Alison Brown's vibrant costume design and Sergey Jakovsky's subtle yet carnivalesque lighting add depth and charm to this production.
Dominic Corr, The Skinny 23/09/2019
The Brothers Karamazov
Lighting design centers on the subdued, creating an ambience that presages tragedy and allows the persona of each character and the character of each relationship to shine.
Theatre Reviews 16/10/2017
The performances are quite literally grounded in the earth on the functional, compact, multi-layered circular set which is beautifully lit by Sergey Jakovsky’s lighting design.
Lauren Humphreys, The Reviews Hub 14/10/2017
Ghosts
Crazy Jane
.. Jessica Brettle and Sergey Jakovsky's set and lighting looks gorgeous, evoking Paris at its most enigmatic.
Lorna Irvine, Across The Arts 01/06/2015
.. superb visual images by lighting designer Sergey Jakovsky with artist Pearl Kinnear.
Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman 31/05/2015
Whiteout
Sergey Jakovsky’s lighting adds depth to proceedingsand helps in the creation of an atmospheric mood that shifts throughout the piece.
David Doyle, The Reviews Hub 23/08/2016
Beowulf
On the cracked slates and crumbling pillars of Charlotte Lane's set, enhanced by the modulating tones of Sergey Jakovsky's lighting and the near-subliminal echoes of Denis Clohessy's score, they make a formidable ensemble.
Mark Fisher, The Guardian 31/07/2014
HUFF
Ulysses
.. atmospheric lighting that changes from dark to light tones with as much fluidity as Joyce’s prose.
Fresh Fringe 11/08/2013
.. enhanced by exquisite lighting by Sergey Jakovsky; the lighting is absolutely integral to the performance and totally integrated into it. The day is punctuated by light rising and falling, and the different hues of the hours of the day. It has a painterly quality of chiarusco and its smokiness is evocative of Ireland’s Catholicism.
Clare Simpson, Fringe Review 07/08/2013
Sergey Jakovsky’s soft-focus light designs add subtly evocative colourations to the different times of day and locations.
Terence Blain, Irish Theatre Magazine 01/11/2012
Charlotte Lane's set design takes the form of a curious room filled with clocks and picture frames and wardrobes, infusing the production with a magical, dream-like quality that's enhanced by Sergey Jakovsky's warm lighting design.
Allan Radcliffe, The List 18/10/2012
The Government Inspector
..with the help of Sergey Jakovsky’s lighting, Mulgrew conjures up magnificent stage tableaux that seem to express the whole meaning of the play in single brilliantly-lit images of provincial snobbery, sleaze, and absurdity.
Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman 28/03/2013
Sergey Jakovsky’s lighting design greatly contributes to the quality.
Alison Anderson, The Daily Record 22/03/2011
