Struggling to Sell Tickets?
How Smart Design Took This Theatre Show from Local Stage to Sold-Out in London.
The Bette and Joan Story
When acclaimed actors Greta Scacchi and Felicity Dean needed a poster for their Frinton Summer Theatre production, they turned to Mark Horton on the recommendation of renowned theatre photographer Simon Annand. The resulting partnership didn't just create eye-catching design -- it followed their show all the way to London's Park Theatre.
From creative brief to London stage
The project began with a straightforward brief: design a poster for 'Bette and Joan' at Frinton Summer Theatre. As the actors explained: "We asked Mark to design a poster and flyers for our upcoming show. It was very exciting to watch Mark's creativity bring our initial ideas into a cohesive form. He offered us lots of wonderful ideas to choose from, and had interpreted the style and the period of our play perfectly."
The success of this initial work led to Mark being commissioned for their subsequent run at London's Park Theatre, where the show sold out within just three days of tickets going on sale.
A design transformation
What began as a recommendation from one of theatre's most respected photographers evolved into a comprehensive creative partnership, demonstrating how thoughtful design can help take a production from local success to London stage.
Why it worked
Creative excellence: Designs perfectly captured the play's period setting and dramatic impact.
Multiple options: Clients could choose from various creative directions that all honored their vision.
Clear results: The Park Theatre run sold out in three days.
Lasting partnership: Initial success led to continued collaboration.
Key takeaways
The Bette and Joan experience shows how the right creative partnership can elevate a production's success. When design captures a show's essence while engaging audiences, it delivers real results.
“We asked Mark to design a poster and flyers for our upcoming show.
It was very exciting to watch Mark’s creativity bring our initial ideas into a cohesive form. He offered us lots of wonderful ideas to choose from, and had interpreted the style and the period of our play perfectly.
If any theatre company needs an eye-catching and exciting poster we would highly recommend Mark. He has been a joy to work with, and the reaction to his design has been phenomenal!”
