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Our Work
At Congo Design, we specialise in theatrical and stage entertainment lighting, delivering innovative and impactful designs across a range of disciplines. From concept to delivery, we provide comprehensive lighting solutions for:
• Live Events & Ceremonies
• Concerts & Live Music
• Theatre Productions and more.
Our team brings creativity and technical expertise to every project, tailoring each design to complement the unique requirements of your event. Below, you’ll find a selection of standout shows and events we’ve had the privilege of lighting.
Oti Mabuse - Viva Carnival Tour
Congo Design was proud to provide lighting design for Oti Mabuse’s Viva Carnival UK tour, which wowed audiences across the country in June 2025. The high-energy production was a celebration of global dance, rhythm, and carnival culture, with each performance infused with the vibrant personality and power of Oti herself.
Working closely with the production team, Congo Design delivered a lighting experience that adapted seamlessly to each venue on the tour while maintaining the show’s unique visual identity.
Working closely with the production team, Congo Design delivered a lighting experience that adapted seamlessly to each venue on the tour while maintaining the show’s unique visual identity.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
The lighting design for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in concert embraces the glamour, comedy, and high-energy charm of the musical while adapting to the more minimal staging of a concert performance. With limited sets and simplified staging, lighting takes on an essential storytelling role, shaping location, tone, and character dynamics.
Bright, bold lighting states dominate the overall design, using vibrant colour washes to evoke the sun-soaked luxury of the French Riviera. Each musical number is treated like a set piece, with concert-style lighting shifts that enhance rhythm, mood, and genre, ranging from jazzy golds and warm ambers to cheeky neons and sultry blues.
Moments of comedy and character shifts are supported through playful lighting cues, such as colour changes, chase lights, or timed flashes, especially in numbers like “Great Big Stuff” and “All About Ruprecht.” Meanwhile, numbers like “Nothing Is Too Wonderful to Be True” feature romantic soft-focus lighting, lending contrast and warmth.
Bright, bold lighting states dominate the overall design, using vibrant colour washes to evoke the sun-soaked luxury of the French Riviera. Each musical number is treated like a set piece, with concert-style lighting shifts that enhance rhythm, mood, and genre, ranging from jazzy golds and warm ambers to cheeky neons and sultry blues.
Moments of comedy and character shifts are supported through playful lighting cues, such as colour changes, chase lights, or timed flashes, especially in numbers like “Great Big Stuff” and “All About Ruprecht.” Meanwhile, numbers like “Nothing Is Too Wonderful to Be True” feature romantic soft-focus lighting, lending contrast and warmth.
The Woman In Black - Dubai
Congo Design were approached to update the original Lighting Design and transfer this to a new venue in the UAE. The show ran for a week at the Zabeel Theatre on the Jumeirah Palm in Dubai.
The lighting in The Woman in Black plays a crucial role in establishing atmosphere, guiding the audience’s focus, and enhancing the play’s suspenseful and eerie tone. The design relies heavily on shadow, contrast, and minimalism, reflecting the play’s storytelling nature and ghostly themes.
Throughout the production, low-level lighting is used to create an unsettling, claustrophobic feel. Isolated spotlights often frame characters or specific props, directing attention and emphasising the theatricality of the "play within a play." Sudden blackouts and sharp lighting shifts are used to punctuate moments of shock or fear, often accompanying the appearance of the Woman in Black herself.
The lighting in The Woman in Black plays a crucial role in establishing atmosphere, guiding the audience’s focus, and enhancing the play’s suspenseful and eerie tone. The design relies heavily on shadow, contrast, and minimalism, reflecting the play’s storytelling nature and ghostly themes.
Throughout the production, low-level lighting is used to create an unsettling, claustrophobic feel. Isolated spotlights often frame characters or specific props, directing attention and emphasising the theatricality of the "play within a play." Sudden blackouts and sharp lighting shifts are used to punctuate moments of shock or fear, often accompanying the appearance of the Woman in Black herself.
Tenors of Rock
Tenors of Rock is a popular male vocal group that was founded in the UK in 2010. They have performed across the world, but their home base is now in Las Vegas, where they regularly perform to packed houses. The group has gained a reputation for reimagining rock music and creating a high-energy, rock-tacular show.
In 2015, Tenors of Rock performed at the Lytham Festival B Stage, where they caught the attention of Congo Design. After seeing their impressive show, Congo Design was invited to design the lighting for their new concept show in Manila, Philippines. The resulting show was a hit and helped to raise the profile of the group even further.
Thanks to their impressive sound and high-energy performances, Tenors of Rock caught the attention of Caesars Entertainment, one of the largest casino and entertainment companies in the world. Caesars offered the group a residency at Harrah’s Casino in Las Vegas, which was a huge coup for the group and a testament to their talent and hard work.
Congo Design was recognised for their work on the Tenors of Rock project and featured in Lighting & Sound International Magazine, alongside other prestigious designers. The article praised Congo Design’s ability to create a high-energy lighting design that perfectly complemented the group’s sound and style.
In 2015, Tenors of Rock performed at the Lytham Festival B Stage, where they caught the attention of Congo Design. After seeing their impressive show, Congo Design was invited to design the lighting for their new concept show in Manila, Philippines. The resulting show was a hit and helped to raise the profile of the group even further.
Thanks to their impressive sound and high-energy performances, Tenors of Rock caught the attention of Caesars Entertainment, one of the largest casino and entertainment companies in the world. Caesars offered the group a residency at Harrah’s Casino in Las Vegas, which was a huge coup for the group and a testament to their talent and hard work.
Congo Design was recognised for their work on the Tenors of Rock project and featured in Lighting & Sound International Magazine, alongside other prestigious designers. The article praised Congo Design’s ability to create a high-energy lighting design that perfectly complemented the group’s sound and style.
StarKid
StarKid is a musical theatre company best known for creating original, comedic, pop culture-infused musicals that often parody well-known franchises. Founded by a group of University of Michigan students in 2009, StarKid rose to fame with their breakout hit A Very Potter Musical, a parody of the Harry Potter series that went viral on YouTube.
Lighting StarKid at the London Palladium required a dynamic and versatile design to match the high-energy performances and comedic pacing of the show. The lighting team balanced theatrical spectacle with intimate character moments, using bold colour washes, sharp spot cues, and creative backlighting to enhance the whimsical tone and quick scene transitions. At a venue as grand as the Palladium, the design also had to scale effectively, ensuring clarity and visibility without overwhelming the performers. Intelligent lighting fixtures and pre-programmed sequences helped support the show's choreography and musical numbers, delivering an engaging visual experience for the audience.
Lighting StarKid at the London Palladium required a dynamic and versatile design to match the high-energy performances and comedic pacing of the show. The lighting team balanced theatrical spectacle with intimate character moments, using bold colour washes, sharp spot cues, and creative backlighting to enhance the whimsical tone and quick scene transitions. At a venue as grand as the Palladium, the design also had to scale effectively, ensuring clarity and visibility without overwhelming the performers. Intelligent lighting fixtures and pre-programmed sequences helped support the show's choreography and musical numbers, delivering an engaging visual experience for the audience.
Collabro
Collabro is an award-winning UK-based musical theatre group and the winner of the eighth series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2014. When the group’s management was looking for a production company for their first-ever UK tour, they turned to Cuffe & Taylor Event Management, who selected Congo Design for the lighting design moving forward. The band’s unique ethos, a fusion of the popular boy band image with musical theatre songs, provided complete artistic freedom for the lighting design to match the emotions of the music being portrayed.
As with any tour, the production had to be adaptable to venues of all sizes, from the intimate Leeds City Varieties to the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall. A scalable lighting design was essential, which could be tailored to each venue without compromising the overall look of the show. We utilized Martin Mac Vipers and Auras for their ability to cut through any sized venue’s space, together with the Avolites Tiger Touch console system and backup.
If you’re looking for an experienced and creative lighting design team that can deliver a scalable production adaptable to any venue, look no further than Congo Design. Contact us and let us help you create a memorable and immersive experience for your musical theatre production.
As with any tour, the production had to be adaptable to venues of all sizes, from the intimate Leeds City Varieties to the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall. A scalable lighting design was essential, which could be tailored to each venue without compromising the overall look of the show. We utilized Martin Mac Vipers and Auras for their ability to cut through any sized venue’s space, together with the Avolites Tiger Touch console system and backup.
If you’re looking for an experienced and creative lighting design team that can deliver a scalable production adaptable to any venue, look no further than Congo Design. Contact us and let us help you create a memorable and immersive experience for your musical theatre production.
Mirage Shows & Productions
Mirage Productions are Producers of high energy, beautifully costumed shows for the cruising industry and venues in the UK and abroad. Congo Design was asked to come on board their Fred Olsen Cruise liners to design and program all their production shows that are performed on board for passengers. The acquisition of the MS Borealis and upgrades to MS Balmoral with new video walls and moving light rigs meant the challenge was on to create something beautiful and original to showcase the talents of the on board teams.
Willy Wonka
Congo Design brought the world of Willy Wonka to life with imaginative lighting design for S4K International’s production of Willy Wonka, the beloved musical by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Directed by Julian Chenery and staged at Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC in Dubai, the production’s vibrant design brought Roald Dahl’s whimsical world to life.
Phil Winston's Theatreworks
Phil Winston’s Theatreworks is a renowned centre of excellence in Performing Arts, offering exceptional courses in dance to students in Blackpool and beyond.
Each year, the school hosts a dazzling showcase event to showcase the talents of its students and provide an opportunity for agents to discover new clients. The event has been held twice at the Lowther Pavilion in Lytham, as well as at Viva Blackpool, where Congo Design has been responsible for lighting the shows for several years.
For Congo Design, lighting these shows is always a pleasure, as the level of talent and creativity on display is matched only by the high-energy lighting design that showcases the students’ skills in the discipline of dance. We strive to create a dynamic and captivating lighting display that complements the performances and adds to the overall impact of the event.
Each year, the school hosts a dazzling showcase event to showcase the talents of its students and provide an opportunity for agents to discover new clients. The event has been held twice at the Lowther Pavilion in Lytham, as well as at Viva Blackpool, where Congo Design has been responsible for lighting the shows for several years.
For Congo Design, lighting these shows is always a pleasure, as the level of talent and creativity on display is matched only by the high-energy lighting design that showcases the students’ skills in the discipline of dance. We strive to create a dynamic and captivating lighting display that complements the performances and adds to the overall impact of the event.
Lytham Proms
Lytham Proms began as a local authority initiative to hold a one-off concert on Lytham Green, a picturesque spot in Lancashire with a famous landmark windmill. The concept proved to be a hit, and in 2010, local businessmen Peter Taylor and Daniel Cuffe took over the reins, creating a concert featuring Lesley Garrett and the Manchester Camerata Orchestra. This event would prove to be the start of something big on the Fylde Coast.
Dan, who had already been designing shows at the nearby Lowther Pavilion theatre, was asked by Peter and Daniel to ‘pop across the road and light the windmill.’ From there, Congo Design became the Venue Lighting Designer for the ‘Last Night of the Proms’ event.
The following year, the festival expanded to a three-day event and rebranded as Lytham Festival. Since 2015, it has grown into a five-day extravaganza that draws visitors from near and far.
Dan, who had already been designing shows at the nearby Lowther Pavilion theatre, was asked by Peter and Daniel to ‘pop across the road and light the windmill.’ From there, Congo Design became the Venue Lighting Designer for the ‘Last Night of the Proms’ event.
The following year, the festival expanded to a three-day event and rebranded as Lytham Festival. Since 2015, it has grown into a five-day extravaganza that draws visitors from near and far.
Glee Live on Stage
IYS Productions (In Yer Space) proudly presented GLEE LIVE ON STAGE!, a never-before-seen show from the popular American TV series, at the iconic Gaiety Theatre on the Isle of Man. Featuring some of the most beloved pop and musical songs from the TV series, including the group’s number one hit, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the show was a hit with audiences.
Congo Design was chosen to light the show, using their stock of Mac 250 Entours and Chauvet Q Washes to augment the house stock of mostly par lanterns and LED floods. A wall of fairy lights was also added to create the dazzling effect of the show’s musical numbers on screen.
Congo Design was chosen to light the show, using their stock of Mac 250 Entours and Chauvet Q Washes to augment the house stock of mostly par lanterns and LED floods. A wall of fairy lights was also added to create the dazzling effect of the show’s musical numbers on screen.
Dame Vera Lynn
Dame Vera Lynn's 100th birthday.
Check Events, a Blackpool-based company, collaborated closely with Dougie Squires OBE to produce the 100th birthday celebrations of Dame Vera Lynn at the prestigious London Palladium. Congo Design was entrusted with the task of designing the lighting, using the venue’s house lighting system and a floor package to enhance the show’s impact.
The event attracted a star-studded audience, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and featured over 350 performers, a 50-piece orchestra, the RAF Squadronaires, and the Maida Vale choir.
Check Events, a Blackpool-based company, collaborated closely with Dougie Squires OBE to produce the 100th birthday celebrations of Dame Vera Lynn at the prestigious London Palladium. Congo Design was entrusted with the task of designing the lighting, using the venue’s house lighting system and a floor package to enhance the show’s impact.
The event attracted a star-studded audience, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and featured over 350 performers, a 50-piece orchestra, the RAF Squadronaires, and the Maida Vale choir.
Annie The Musical
Popular Productions, co-founded by John Payton and Lucy Magee, are renowned for their outstanding musical adaptations staged in Dubai, UAE. Their recent production of Annie at the Madinat Theatre, Jumeirah in Dubai featured a brilliant lighting design by Congo Design.
Over the course of a three-week run, the show utilized the theatre’s vast stock of lighting fixtures and was controlled by an Avolites Pearl desk. The creative use of a large-format video screen, transported the audience to each scene without the need for complex scenery.
If you’re looking for a remarkable lighting design for your next production in Dubai, contact the team at Congo Design, the lighting experts who brought the magic of Annie to life.
Over the course of a three-week run, the show utilized the theatre’s vast stock of lighting fixtures and was controlled by an Avolites Pearl desk. The creative use of a large-format video screen, transported the audience to each scene without the need for complex scenery.
If you’re looking for a remarkable lighting design for your next production in Dubai, contact the team at Congo Design, the lighting experts who brought the magic of Annie to life.
Shrek The Musical
‘Shrek the Musical’ is a beloved Broadway and West End hit, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film.
This fun-filled and hilarious musical comedy boasts a vibrant cast of characters and a ‘shrek-tackular’ score that delights audiences of all ages. Recently, the Parker & Snell Company brought this production to the Isle of Mann’s Gaiety Theatre in Douglas, where Congo Design was tasked with designing the lighting for the week-long show run.
As lighting designers, our job was to enhance the fantastical world of ‘Shrek the Musical’ and bring its memorable characters and infectious music to life on stage. The show featured exploding birds, intricate prosthetics, and a colourful set that demanded a lighting design that was both dynamic and visually stunning.
Our team worked closely with the production team to craft a lighting display that complemented the show’s many highlights and captured the magic of this beloved musical.
This fun-filled and hilarious musical comedy boasts a vibrant cast of characters and a ‘shrek-tackular’ score that delights audiences of all ages. Recently, the Parker & Snell Company brought this production to the Isle of Mann’s Gaiety Theatre in Douglas, where Congo Design was tasked with designing the lighting for the week-long show run.
As lighting designers, our job was to enhance the fantastical world of ‘Shrek the Musical’ and bring its memorable characters and infectious music to life on stage. The show featured exploding birds, intricate prosthetics, and a colourful set that demanded a lighting design that was both dynamic and visually stunning.
Our team worked closely with the production team to craft a lighting display that complemented the show’s many highlights and captured the magic of this beloved musical.
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