The Award recognises an individual who has supported our art of Lighting Design; programmers, software designers, electrical prop makers, rigging innovators, production electricians, account handlers, specialist crew and the like, and is presented by kind agreement with Brian’s family in memory of Brian Croft (1938 – 2024).

Brian’s love of theatre began at school where he was a founding member of the National Youth Theatre. He then trained at Bristol Old Vic before starting his career as an ASM at Perth Repertory Theatre in 1959. Brian later returned to the NYT as its first salaried staff member. In 1968 he was invited by Michael Kustow to join the Institute of Contemporary Arts as technical director and helped launch its London premises on The Mall.

Whilst at the ICA, he took three months off to join Chip Monck’s lighting crew on the Rolling Stones tour of Europe, and after several switches between his theatre and touring hats, he formed ESP Lighting, together with John Brown. Brian was credited with bringing the strict discipline of the theatre into the chaotic world of Rock ‘n’ Roll and for developing the concept of touring a designed show. He played an instrumental role working with artists such as Rod Stewart, Queen and Abba as productions became more elaborate. 

Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, Brian moved from ESP to TFA Electrosound, to Theatre Projects, then Samuelsons and finally Vari-Lite. As managing director of Vari-Lite Europe, Brian played a key role bringing automated lighting technology not just to concert touring but to theatre and other areas of production.

Many still active in the industry today started on Brian Croft’s watch, and cite him as a tremendous influence, mentor, supporter – and raconteur! Crofty was, to most, the ‘Godfather of Rock and Roll Lighting’ and will be sadly missed.