The Latest News

This month, the spotlight shines on the world-renowned illusionist Hans Klok, whose latest show Face the Future is leaving audiences spellbound! Known for his lightning-fast illusions and larger-than-life stage presence, Klok’s newest production pushes the boundaries of magic and spectacle.

The Twins FX is thrilled to have played a part in bringing this mesmerizing show to life. Our team collaborated closely with Hans Klok to develop the breathtaking special effects and illusions that are central to the show’s futuristic theme. From mind-bending teleportations to astonishing levitations, Face the Future is a tour de force of magic that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

As Face the Future continues to tour, we're proud to see the incredible response from fans and critics alike. This show is a true testament to the power of innovation and the endless possibilities of live entertainment.

For tickets and more information click here!

The clock struck 400 performances on Broadway for Back to the Future: The Musical earlier this month, celebrating a milestone that has left audiences buzzing with excitement! Since its debut on the Great White Way, this electrifying adaptation of the beloved 1985 film has captivated theatergoers with its blend of nostalgia, high-octane performances, and cutting-edge special effects.

With this 400th performance, Back to the Future: The Musical continues to ride a wave of acclaim, demonstrating the enduring appeal of this iconic story. Audiences can expect the same level of energy, innovation, and excitement as the production moves forward into its next chapter.

Here’s to the next 400 performances and beyond! The future of theater is looking brighter – and faster – than ever.

We were proud to sponsor another fantastic year at New Blades 2024!

And what a year this show has been, all of the work was amazing to look at and it was great to be able to talk to the students about their work, their passions and goals for working in industry.

Congratulations to Alieen Wright for winning this years Twins FX 'WOW' Factor award. Her life size model of Rocket Raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy was brilliant!

Thank you to New Blades for another great year full of talent!

Get yourself down to Swanage Carnival this year for a ROARsome time!

The Swanage Carnival, a highlight of the summer calendar, attracts thousands of visitors each year with its vibrant parades, live music, family-friendly activities, and spectacular fireworks.

We will be providing a life-sized T-Rex animatronic effect. Known for our cutting-edge animatronic technology and lifelike creations, we are proud to contribute to this iconic event, bringing a touch of prehistoric magic to the festivities.

Prepare to be whisked away to Sherwood Forest as Robin Hood is set to steal the spotlight in the Christmas pantomime extravaganza at the London Palladium...showing from Saturday 7th December 2024 - Sunday 12th January 2025!

Starring...
Jane McDonald as Maid Marion
Julian Clary as Robin Hood
Paul Zerdin as Will Scarlet
Nigel Havers as Friar Tuck
Marisha Wallace as The Sheriff of Nottingham
Rob Madge as The Spirit of Sherwood
Tosh Wanogho-Maud as Little John
and
Charlie Stemp as Alan-a-Dale

Priority booking opens Thursday 25th April at 10AM...dont miss out!!

Ticket Information

Some lucky members of our team are currently stationed in the beautiful Kuwait, ready to premier one of our new effects; featuring in the production of  The World of Abdulhussain at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre!

"This grand retrospective production involves over 80 artists, seamlessly collaborating on stage in harmonious synergy, encompassing singing, musical performances, and theatrical acts. It also integrates recorded archival material using modern technological techniques, transporting the audience into the legendary world of Abdulhussain. The production revolves around his close bond with music, featuring the opening and closing musical credits of his TV series, operettas of various genres, sketches, and other songs from his extensive body of work, offering the audience unexpected and limitless surprises."
Currenty set to run from 1-11th May 2024 and selling out fast!

 

We had the pleasure of providing one of our radio controlled retractable noses for Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and worn by the one and only Steven Mulhern!

See a clip of the effect in action here!




 

THIS IS HEAVY!

Set to take the stage at Tokyo's JR East Shiki Theater in April 2025, after successful runs in Manchester, London's West End, and on Broadway. So oine of our amazing Deloreans will be on its way to Japan in the near future....or past?...

Tickets are set to be released from December 2024!
Get your tickets yesterday!

After a brilliant 2023/24 season Pantomime will return in 2024 to London’s iconic home of panto, The London Palladium.

What could it be?.....

If you love pantomime, you’re not going to want to miss London’s biggest panto at the Palladium.

Sign up today to be the first to hear further news about the 2024 spectacle. Star casting and on-sale dates for this West End extravaganza will be announced later in the year.

We're full speed ahead into the 2023/24 Pantomime season and what a brilliant one it has been!

The reviews across the board have been spectacular! Providing special effects and flying effects to crossroads pantomimes across the country, this year has been a magical, especially with the Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders making her Panto Debut in The London Palladium's production of The Adventures of Peter Pan!

         "Absolutely fabulous and absolutely Pantastic!" - Whats On Stage

“There are some remarkable effects again too - watch out just before the interval for the flying plane, containing Pinocchio and Jiminy, that comes out over the audience and turns upside down." - Chronicle Live

“... there’s some terrific stage scenery, including a pièce de resistance crocodile at the end of act one.” - Whats on Stage

“Audiences can expect far more than just a beanstalk – including a flying car, pyrotechnics and a giant that has to be seen to be believed.” - The Reviews Hub

May the rest of the season be just as magical!

We had a brilliant time working on Sooty's 2023 Christmas hit I'm in the Mood for Christmas

We helped to add some of the magic and sparkle to the set and provided some sooty sized props that were just great to make! 

Sooty and his friends are raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital! 

Watch here!
Donate here!

We had a brilliant time at The Magic Circle HQ, where we were honoured to give a lecture about the work that we do.

We felt extremely humbled by the amount of responces we recieved regarding the lecture and we cannot thank you all enough for the kind words and support! 

Over the past year we have been able to purchase 3 more units on the same estate as our workshop and HQ!! 

We're taking over the estate! 

Check out our other locations here!
 

Good luck to all the cast and crew behind Back To The Future: The Musical with their opening night on Broadway! Its great to see our Delorean on a Broadway stage! Synchronize Your Watches...Its going to be heavy!

"I have to admit that the car alone might be worth a ticket. It fills a deep Broadway longing for large objects performing audience flyovers"  - NEW YORK TIMES

"The show's biggest not-so-secret weapon - the DeLorean brings all of the magic from the screen to the stage, and by the end of the show, audiences will truly believe a car can fly." - EW.com 

We are excited to provide some magical effects to the brand-new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, one of the world’s most beloved musicals.

A sensational cast joins Dorothy and Toto this Summer at The London Palladium for an unforgettable adventure down the yellow brick road!
Starring award-winning comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford as The Cowardly Lion, Diversity star Ashley Banjo as The Tin Man in his West End musical debut and The London Palladium legend Gary Wilmot as The Wizard and Professor Marvel. Dianne Pilkington will star as the Wicked Witch of the West, Louis Gaunt as The Scarecrow and Christina Bianco as Glinda The Good Witch. Georgina Onuorah will play the lead role of Dorothy.

Get your tickets here!

The New Blades Awards are back for 2023, and we are proud to sponser the Twins FX WOW award. 

Miki was able to represent the TwinsFX this year whilst Gary is off in the Big Apple working on BTTF on Broadway!
The show takes place at th Holdborn Studios in Islington, and is a great place to see this years gradutates show off their amazing work in prop maikng, model making and more!
Congratulations to Joshua Csobonas for winning! We just loved your Ood!

 

Our Delorean has landed in the Winter Garden theatre on Broadway! 
A few of our team members are over in the Big Apple, where the show will soon be up and running!

This is heavy!

Get your tickets yesterday! 

Peter Pan will be soaring through the sky and into the Palladium for this year's Pantomime!

Starring...
Jennifer Saunders as Captain Hook
Julian Clary as Seaman Smee
Paul Zerdin as Starkey
Nigel Havers as Pirate Nigel
Gary Wilmot as Mrs. Henrietta Hook
Louis Gaunt as Peter Pan
Rob Madge as Tink 
Frances Mayli Mccann as Wendy 
The Timbuktu Tumblers as The Neverlanders 

Get your tickets here!

We are proud to provide Jurrasic Park Live with some brillaint special and practical effects! This show is packed full of dinosaurs, singing, dancing & comedy, its fun for all families!

"We have teamed up with one of the UK's premier stage effects companies to bring you some never-before seen visual and practical effects further enhancing the audience experience at our shows."

Buy your tickets here!

Here for its 8th spectascular season, Pantomime at the Palladium returns for Christmas 2023!!

We are beyond excited to start making and creating some of the magic that goes into the production! 

Bring on Christmas 2023!

Its great to be back to all of the brilliant theatres across the UK, delivering some magic and illusion to each and every performance. 

We've got somre great new effects debuting this year, inlcuding...Trio of Giants and Nipper Norm 
 

We were excited to provide some magical illusions for ITV's Queens for the Night. Feautring England Rugby Player Joe Marler as Trixie Turnover, mentored by Blu Hydrangea, winner of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World (2022).

Watch now on ITVX...

GREAT SCOTT!

Back To The Future: The Musical is coming to BROADWAY!!!
And we're making antoher Delorean!! We can't wait to see our car on the Winter Garden stage! 

Synchronize Your Watches — The Future's coming to Broadway in 2023!!! Sign up to be the first to buy tickets! https://BacktotheFutureMusical.com/new-york/

GREAT SCOTT!!!

Happy 1st Birthday to Back to the Future: The Musical! 

We are so so proud to be suppling effects to such an amazing production, heres to their first birthday of many more to come on the West End! 

Get your tickets yesterday! 

 

Beauty and the Beast, returns to the UK stage in 2022 at the London Palladium for a strictly limited season.

We are proud to supply magical stager effects for this production!

This beloved ‘tale as old as time’ has been brought to life on stage like never before, with all the charm and elegance audiences expect from Belle and her Beast. 25 years after its Olivier Award-winning West End debut, members of the original creative team have reunited on this new production featuring all of the spellbinding songs of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice including Belle, Gaston, Be Our Guest and, of course, Beauty and the Beast.
Disney proudly invites you to ‘Be Our Guest’ and get your tickets today...

The New Blades Awards are back for 2022, and we are proud to sponser the Twins FX WOW award. 

The show takes place at th Holdborn Studios in Islington, and is a great place to see this years gradutates show off their amazing work in prop maikng, model making and more!
Congratulations to Julianna Maznevski for winning! We just loved your sculptures! 
mazmadefx.com

 

We were able to provide and assist in bringing some magic and illusion to the Years & Years UK Tour! 

Years & Years has today confirmed details of ‘The Night Call Tour’ for 2022.  Featuring a London date of 26th May 2022 at Wembley Arena. You can pre-order the album from yearsandyears.com which will also give you  access to the pre-sale, from Wednesday at GMT 9am. General sales open on 5th November  GMT 9AM.

Tickets available from : www.gigsandtours.com.

Early morning on April 2nd we said goodbye to our father Norman - pop builder/engineer. 



A peaceful release from dementia and cancer.
No sadness, just a celebration of a great life.

THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING MASTERPIECE RETURNS IN 2022.

“We want an incredible grand finale. We want to blow up, burn, atomize a NASA operations desk and its operator with our Martian fighting machine’s heat-ray! Nothing should be left standing on stage, could you do that?” And of course we proivided!

One of the most trailblazing arena tours of all time, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of 'The War of The Worlds' - Alive on Stage! returns to arenas throughout the UK in 2022.

The cast will include Steps star Claire Richards making her debut as Beth, The Parson’s Wife with former Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer and West End star Kevin Clifton as The Artilleryman. Joining them on the cast is Callum O’Neil as Wells.

Audiences can also expect to see Liam Neeson in 3D holography as journalist George Herbert and the 35-foot-tall Martian Fighting Machine firing real flame Heat Rays, along with the nine-piece Black Smoke Band and ULLAdubULLA symphonic string orchestra.

Buy your tickets today!

The Twins Fx are part of the creative team for a new exciting project. Building work has started months ago and the new theme park attraction is set to open to the public on Saturday 28 May, 2022.

Award-winning Devon theme park Crealy Theme Park & Resort has partnered with the world’s longest-running children’s television programme, The Sooty Show, to devise plans for a magical new world at the theme park devoted entirely to the nation’s favourite yellow magic bear, Sooty.

Josh Haywood, General Manager at Crealy Theme Park & Resort, says: “Crealy Theme Park & Resort has long prided itself on being a family attraction that caters for all generations. Sooty, Sweep & Soo have been entertaining children, parents and grandparents across the country for over 70 years, and so we couldn’t be more thrilled to be partnering with the gang on our new Sooty Land. We can’t wait to open it to the public in May.”

“This really is such an exciting new chapter for Sooty,” adds Richard Cadell, presenter & owner of The Sooty Show. “As I live close to Exeter myself, I’ve always admired everything they do at Crealy, so to be opening up Sooty Land in partnership with the team there is a real honour. Live daily theatre performances, Sweep selling hot dogs, amazing rides and Sooty’s very own magic shop – there’s going to be so much fun to be had for families and fans of Sooty across the country visiting Devon in 2022.

Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum......... A GIANT panto comes to The London Palladium!

This Christmas join comedy superstars Dawn French and Julian Clary as they lead the cast of a brand-new production of Jack and the Beanstalk at London’s iconic home of pantomime!

The West End’s panto will feature returning Palladium favourites Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot, along with a lavish set and beautiful costumes designed especially for London’s biggest panto.

With more star casting to be announced later in the year – this is the panto you’ve bean waiting for!

Book youre tickets now....www.palladiumpantomime.com

We lost Phil Butler some months ago….. 

Phil Butler was an English comedian, magician, stage artist, and producer of The Green Room Podcast.  Just before his death - Phil he posted on Instagram that he was "excited" to join the panto production of Robin Hood in Nottingham as Silly Simon along with Matthew Kelly, Tristan Gemmill and Jodie Prenger.

He always was bugging us at Twins FX to name an effect after him; our stock answer was “NO, NO AND NO”. Well Phil, the time has come! He was meant to be appearing in Nottingham this year. Strangely, the only effect that has never been named, is going there…. so it had to be done!

With Phil Walker we had a little naming ceremony in the week. Introducing PHIL THE WOLF …..

What the papers are saying about our effects in this year's pantomime season.....

"spectacular", "amazing", "stunning", "awe inspiring stage effects",

" a sugar rush", "this is how to do Panto FIVE STARS", "eye-pleasing spectacle",

"marvellous special effects by The Twins FX", "spectacle of flying horses and carriage",

"WOW a flying London bus" "eye-popping effects, 'impossible".......

We have been loading lorries cross our 4 sites over the last few weeks. The Twins FX is led by identical twins Gary and Paul Hardy-Brown, located in Wareham in Dorset.. “Coming into work is never boring or a chore because we genuinely love what we do,” says Managing Director Gary. They have a core team of 10 staff but at their busiest, there are as many as 40 model makers, painters and engineers working away in their workshops, like a crack team of seasonal elves. TwinsFX have been planning and manufacturing special effects for over 30 pantomimes and musicals this year, including venues in Aberdeen, Belfast, Llandudno, Dartford, Glasgow, London, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool, Crewe, Birmingham, Plymouth, Darlington, Nottingham, Southend, Swansea, Southampton, Manchester, Weymouth and Bradford, helping to break box office records in Christmas productions across the UK.

WOW, what a season ahead.......

Donny Osmond will join celebrated pantomime royalty Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, Gary Wilmot, Jac Yarrow and Sophie Isaacs in Pantoland at The Palladium which will open at the world-famous West End theatre on 4 December 2021 and run until 9 January 2022 for a strictly limited five week run.

Donny Osmond will star as the Wizard of Pantomime. With a career spanning five decades Donny has been a singer, actor, triple-threat television series host and best-selling author. Throughout his illustrious career, Osmond has earned 33 gold records; selling over 100 million albums becoming a worldwide music legend. His forthcoming album "Start Again" marks his 65th release in the music industry. Before appearing in Pantoland at The Palladium he returns to Las Vegas with his first-ever solo residency inside Harrah's Showroom at Harrah's, opening August 2021.

Julian Clary, Nigel Havers and Paul Zerdin have starred in pantomimes at The London Palladium since 2016 with Cinderella. Gary Wilmot joined the cast in 2017 and together they have performed in Dick Whittington, Snow White, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and last year's Pantoland at The Palladium

The cast are joined by Jac Yarrow, who made his Palladium pantomime debut last Christmas, and is currently starring in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The London Palladium; and Sophie Isaacs who previously starred in the title role in 2019's production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and can currently be seen in SIX the Musical at the Lyric Theatre in London's West End. Australian speciality act Flame Oz will add a new dimension to the pantomime along with the return of spectacular special effects from The Twins FX.

An essential part of Christmas in the West End, Pantoland at The Palladium is created by Michael Harrison and promises to be a treasure trove of The London Palladium's panto past and exciting new surprises written especially for the show, guaranteeing an unmissable treat for panto and musical theatre fans alike.

www.palladiumpantomime.com

 

DAILY MAIL        

‘the Car Is the star’- New York Times

THE TELEGRAPH        

‘the car’s the star’ - The Guardian

METRO        

‘The car is a star, flying over the stalls and even backflipping’ – inew

Directed by John Rando alongside Tim Hatley (set and costumes), Hugh Vanstone and Tim Lutkin (lighting), Chris Fisher (illusions), Finn Ross (video design), Chris Bailey (choreography) and Twins Fx (Flying Delorean).  

Pictured in the Photo are the Twins FX team at the opening night (Posh, Paul, Duffer and Gary) with Production manger, Simon Marlow in the centre.

FLUX CAPACITOR ARE ON READY FOR 1.21 GIGAWATTS OF EXCITEMENT!  

We are back............ NOW AT THE ADELPHI THEATRE LONDON.

Welcome to Hill Valley! This new musical adventure based on the 1985 blockbuster and pop culture phenomenon is brought to the stage by the movie’s co-writers, Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis.  Back to the Future the Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning John Rando alongside a Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team including Tim Hatley (set and costumes), Hugh Vanstone and Tim Lutkin (lighting), Chris Fisher (illusions), Finn Ross (video design), Chris Bailey (choreography) and Twins Fx (Flying Delorean). 

Book your tickets yesterday!  

https://www.backtothefuturemusical.com

Turn the ignition on your DeLorean because Back to the Future: The Musical is landing in the West End. Based on the iconic 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, Back to the Future: The Musical is bringing the beloved movie to the stage for the first time. Back to the Future: The Musical tickets are on sale now.

Back to the Future: The Musical follows high schooler Marty McFly, who just wants to ride around town on his skateboard. When his friend and experimental scientist Dr. Emmett Brown reveals his latest invention, a time-travelling DeLorean, Marty finds himself caught in a high-speed chase that accidentally lands him back in 1955. Once he’s there, he meets his high school-aged parents, but his meddling with time begins to threaten his own existence. Marty finds Doc Brown and together, they bend the rules of time to save each other.

The film’s screenwriters Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, who also directed the movie's two sequels, co-created the musical. Gale contributed the show’s book alongside Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, who wrote original music and lyrics. The musical’s score also features hits from the film including “The Power of Love" and “Johnny B. Goode.” JBack to the Future the Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning John Rando alongside a Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team including Tim Hatley (set and costumes), Hugh Vanstone and Tim Lutkin (lighting), Chris Fisher (illusions), Finn Ross (video design), Chris Bailey (choreography) and Twins Fx (Flying Delorean).

Twins Fx have be consulting, supplying effects and magic to a brand new show this Christmas, "Operation Ouch"...  It's great to be working with another set of Twins.

TV’s favourite doctors return to the Westend this December with a brand new show! Following three sell-out Australian tours, and a smash hit season in London’s West End, Dr Chris and Dr Xand can not wait to perform at The Lyric Theatre. This brilliant show will be packed with all-new crazy experiments and amazing facts, as the doctors explore the fascinating world of biology and show you the incredible things your body can do. Plus, they’ll share the best bits from the award-winning TV show, Operation Ouch!

Dr Chris and Dr Xand van Tulleken are Oxford University trained doctors and still work in medicine. Dr Chris is based at University College London Hospital and Dr Xand is the Helen Hamlyn Senior Fellow at Fordham University’s Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs. Dr Chris and Dr Xand will be joined by Dr Ronx via video link.

As well as Operation Ouch!, they have appeared in other TV shows such as The Human Body: Secrets of Your Life Revealed, Frontline Doctors: Winter Migrant Crisis, Horizon, Is Binge Drinking Really That Bad?, Blow Your Mind, Horizon, Sugar V Fat, Which Doctor?, The Secret Life Of Twins, and Medicine Men Go Wild.

Tickets on sale here....www.operationouchlive.com

We are Twins FX.........

We are the world leaders of theatrical effects. Making the impossible, possible, for theatre, film & tv productions. A unique one-off business crossing many sectors of the Arts. Establishing ourselves as market leaders for large-scale theatrical effects, working on shows such as Jeff Wayne’s ‘War of the Worlds’, Doctor Who Live, 'Hamlet' and ‘Back to the Future” the musical. Our effects have been seen in ‘Strictly come Dancing’, ‘Doctor Who’, ‘Blue Peter’ to ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Pioneering a bespoke flying system over the last 10 years, with over 80 flying systems in our hire stock.

Everything is designed/manufactured in-house in Dorset, over 4 buildings of over 30,000 sq. ft. www.thetwinsfx.com

Michael Tomlinson pops in on the Twins FX to see what we've been up to over the last 18 months from COVID shutdown to Culture Recovery Fund Grant.......... He even went 'Back to the future' taking a ride in the Twins FX Delorean, heading for London's West End in August! Michael Tomlinson is a British politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole since 2015.

"I always have a great time here at Twins FX. Today was even more special with a ride in the Delorean!" commented Micheal Tomlinson. "It's great to see Micheal again. Everything is designed & manufactured in Dorset, we provide important job opportunities locally. We thank Micheal for his support over the years.” added Paul  - Twins FX Creative Director

Twins Worldwide Ltd (Twins FX) among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. Having lost over 95% of income due to COVID-19 over the past 12 months. With a Culture Recovery Fund grant, Twins Worldwide Ltd (Twins FX) can continue to be in a position to provide our unique services to the Arts sector.

Twins Worldwide Ltd trading as Twins FX in Wareham, Dorset has received a grant of £235,000.00 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen. More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Twins FX in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced at the Easter weekend.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The second round of awards made in April will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:

“Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced. Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead."

Gary Hardy Brown Managing Director said:

“Securing Cultural Recovery Funding will now enable us to reimagine our operating model, reignite its creativity and prepare the company to present its work in front of live audiences once again – and we can’t wait. Twins FX remain an inspiration for many throughout the sector, we never got “stuck” and have always been quick to adapt to new challenges, helping us all through these unprecedented times. Everything is designed & manufactured in Dorset, we provide important job opportunities locally. It is important to create opportunities outside of London, we want to continue to influence promotion of the Arts sector in the South West.”

TURN YOUR FLUX CAPACITOR ON AND GET READY FOR 1.21 GIGAWATTS OF EXCITEMENT!  

We are coming back............ ADELPHI THEATRE LONDON, 20th August 2021.

Welcome to Hill Valley! This new musical adventure based on the 1985 blockbuster and pop culture phenomenon is brought to the stage by the movie’s co-writers, Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis.  Back to the Future the Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning John Rando alongside a Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team including Tim Hatley (set and costumes), Hugh Vanstone and Tim Lutkin (lighting), Chris Fisher (illusions), Finn Ross (video design), Chris Bailey (choreography) and Twins Fx (flying Delorean). 

Book your tickets yesterday!  

We lost a legend and a freind in January. Our world will never be the same.... Rest in peace Gerry.

For half a century from 1970 onwards, the circus impresario and showman Gerry Cottle, who has died aged 75 of Covid-19, took a big top across Britain and beyond, bringing the circus to small towns and television screens. Gerry Cottle’s circus was the biggest in the country, seating 1,500 and broadcasting the BBC’s Seaside Special from the tent on Saturday nights (1975-78). When that ended, in the 1990s, he took the Moscow State and Chinese State circuses to local parks. Yet even at the height of his success Cottle displayed no grandeur. Although a middle-class grammar school boy, he exhibited a kind of classlessness. Working in the circus meant he was liable to be tagged as “a bit of rough”, while circus people themselves nicknamed him “Posh Boy”. He was a cocaine user throughout his 40s, but his biggest addiction was to risk, both professionally and personally.

In 2003 he decided to give up circus for good (for the second time) to build an antiques centre in Addlestone, Surrey, but after forking out £30,000 he failed to get planning permission for the venture. Later that year he came up with perhaps his best investment, and greatest achievement, buying Wookey Hole Caves in Somerset. He revived the attraction, opened a small circus museum of his personal collection on the site, and established a successful circus school there. Many of its pupils went on to become professional circus artistes, some of them joining Cirque du Soleil.

A few years later, despite having declared that he had given up circus for good, Cottle set up a new show, WOW, and took it on the road with his three daughters. Only really happy if he was about to build up a big top, just a few days before his death he was chatting to Dr Haze about reviving a Seaside Special circus in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. 

 Gerald Ward Cottle, circus impresario, born 7 April 1945; died 13 January 2021

P.T.Selbit premiered “SAWING A WOMAN IN HALF” for the very first time, 100 years ago this month.

P. T. Selbit (1881–1938) was an English magician, inventor and writer who is credited with being the first person to perform the illusion of sawing a woman n half . Among magicians he was known for his inventiveness and entrepreneurial instinct and he is credited with creating a long list of successful stage illusions.

There are many versions of the illusion of sawing through a woman or sawing a woman in half as well as other illusions that are based around that theme. There remains a debate as to the exact origins of the idea, with some suggesting there is a record of it from 1809 or that the idea can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Selbit is generally recognised as the first magician to perform such a trick on a public stage, which he did at the Finsbury Park Empire theatre in London on 17 January 1921. In fact, Selbit had previously performed the illusion in December 1920 before a select audience of promoters and theatrical agents at the St. George's Hall to try to persuade one of them to book him to perform it.

In Selbit's version a female assistant got into a wooden box that was similar in proportion to a coffin but slightly larger. She was secured there by ropes around her wrists, ankles and neck. The box was then closed, obscuring her from view. After the box was placed in a horizontal position, Selbit sawed through the middle of it with a large hand saw. The impression given to the audience was that, because of the restraints and limited room in the box, the assistant's waist must have been in the path of the saw and she would surely have been cut through. Finally the box was opened and the assistant, still with ropes attached, was revealed as unharmed.

Here is our version with clear “see through” boxes!  You can hire this illusion form us at https://www.special-effects-hire.com/illusions.asp.

Outside of Panto we’ve established ourselves as market leaders of sector support for large-scale theatrical effects, pioneering counter-weighted flying - recently utilising our ground-breaking techniques on the “Back to the Future” musical, which opened in Manchester in early 2020 to rave reviews and is set to move to The Adelphi, London in 2021.

Each year we help around 20 community groups, schools & amateur productions realise their own productions by using our expertise and effects.

We’ve had international reach and impact as our work has toured with various shows to the US, Australia, and throughout Europe. We have spent some of the past year collaborating with creatives at Universal Studios in the US on an upcoming live show.

Everything is designed & manufactured in Dorset as we help provide important opportunities locally and jobs across England. It is important to create opportunities outside of London for our local graduates and creatives and we want to continue to influence promotion of the Arts sector in the South West.

We’re committed to providing cultural opportunities in England for new graduates and students. We are dedicated to the development of a diverse and growing talent pool, offering comprehensive internships / work placement programmes for university students, welcoming on average 50-60 university students per year. We run a work experience taster programme for secondary school pupils, giving younger students in Dorset a sample of our work and industry. We continue to sponsor a New Blades award, which is an awards event for recently graduated model makers and creatives round the UK, promoting young talent and providing a showcase for their entry into the industry.

We’ve focused on giving full time or freelance work to most of our graduate interns/placements, helping to shape the industry and provide avenues for graduates – and that must continue.

Our effects have been described as “Show stopping” (Michael Harrison), “Breathtaking” (Sir Alan Sugar) and as having the “the Wow factor” (Nick Thomas OBE).

Sad news......  A Variety of festive shows run by Qdos pantomimes have cancelled their 2020 dates and moved runs to 2021.

The company revealed in early December, due to lack of clarity and support from the government, it is currently impossible to produce pantomime productions with covid 19 restrictions.

Pantomime is a British institution with an international reputation, a mainstay of theatres all over the UK and an annual tradition for families young and old. Pantomime is wide reaching – accessible to all ages, for many a first experience of theatre - financially more available. Its audiences are gender, socio-economic and culturally diverse - a beacon of inclusivity.

It is an incredibly important business for the theatre sector and its relevance and impact should not be downplayed: In 2016/2017 Panto surpassed forecasts, yielding over £60 million in revenue, running for 3-5 weeks to sold-out audiences. There were 25 major pantomimes across the UK in 2016/2017 with around another 40 smaller productions.

This income not only makes a huge difference to the theatre industry but ensures revenue that will keep a venue afloat for the remainder of the year, underwriting their wider theatrical programme. Pantomime allows for larger cultural opportunities, the creation of new plays, for creative outreach in local communities. It’s effects ripple throughout the whole of the theatrical industry, while rarely being recognised for such.

We are incredibly proud to be a big part of this tradition and recognised as part of the creative team who helped Qdos Entertainments achieve the Olivier award for their Pantomime at the London Palladium – the first time a pantomime has won such a prestigious award.

Pantomime producer Michael Harrison has vowed to try and save the five productions he has lined up that have fallen into Tier 3, as he criticised the government for its lack of leadership. The producer had 10 pantomimes lined up through his company Qdos across the country, including Pantoland at the Palladium.

Five of his planned productions fall into Tier 3 areas, including shows he had lined up in Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle, Stoke and Nottingham. A Qdos production is also planned for Birmingham, which is in Tier 3, but is not due to open until January, with Harrison hopeful the situation may have changed by then. Speaking to in Novemeber he said it was worth “taking a beat” to see what can be done in areas that are in Tier 3, and added that doing so could save jobs.

“We have been used to rescheduling and replanning all year and that is what we are doing now. We are not letting everything sink and we have the fortune that we can move some things around and, for the ones that are affected, we can try and make sure that we can deliver as many in some shape or form as possible,” he said.

Harrison said he and his company were carefully “working out what might be possible” including what will have to be cancelled and what can be moved.

“We want to take a beat to work out what the other options are and it’s worth taking a beat as that can protect jobs,” he said, adding: “It’s worth not making quick decisions, so we can see if any rescheduling would work to protect everybody who has already put an enormous amount of effort in. It’s just worth surveying the landscape and seeing what we can do.”

However, he criticised the guidance from the government as “appalling”. He added: “There is no joined up thinking at all. To go into lockdown, and and encourage rehearsals to keep going and then to announce a tier system is crazier than many of the scenes you will see in one of my pantomimes.”

He said he had written to 48 MPs and to the Cabinet to ask them to make theatre shows exempt from the restrictions, prior to today’s announcement about which areas had fallen into Tier 3. “I was asking for exemption on the basis that non-essential retail can open and gyms. Why can you march around the Trafford Centre in Manchester but you can’t sit socially distanced within your own family bubble wearing a mask in Manchester Opera House for a 75-minute pantomime with no interval in a building that has had tens of thousands of pounds spent on it to make it Covid-secure?”

He revealed that in London the Palladium pantomime is being reduced from a capacity of 1,200 to 1,000 to fit in with new restrictions on capacities for indoor events.

“That effectively means we are sold out but its the most dissatisfying sell out I have ever experienced in my life,” he said.

Showing at Melbourne’s Comedy theatre from 29 June to 8 July and then Sydney’s majestic State Theatre from 13 to 22 July for a strictly limited run... Awake from your enchanted slumber and be the first to book for our fun-for-all-the family fairy tale panto adventure, “Sleeping Beauty – A Knight Avenger’s Tale”. Showing at Melbourne’s Comedy theatre from 29 June to 8 July and then Sydney’s majestic State Theatre from 13 to 22 July for a strictly limited run. From the same creative team that brought you “ The Adventures of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell”, fall under the spell of Bonnie Lythgoe’s latest fairy tale classic. The maleficent Fairy Carabosse curses Princess Aurora to 100 years’ slumber, by a single prick of her finger on her 18th birthday. Doomed by fate, only a Prince’s sweet kiss can break the spell and awaken the sleeping beauty. Can Princess Aurora’s hilarious best friend Silly Billy and faithful Nanny Tickle help save the day and who will outwit the evil Carabosse and foil her wicked plans? Featuring dazzling costumes, stunning sets, magic, special effects, hilarious comedy and thrilling musical numbers, make sure you book your tickets now – it promises to be a ‘”Beauty”!

The Twins FX are proud winners of another award this month. Having recently announced their recognition as part of the creative team who helped Qdos Entertainment achieve their Olivier award, The Twins FX were nominated for 2018’s Best Special Effect at The Great British Panto Awards in London. The GBPA are providing recognition for Pantomime as BAFTAs do for film and Oliviers do for Theatre. The award winning special effect made by the The Twins FX was the big red Flying London Bus that ‘wowed’ family audiences of young and old, during the Dick Whittington productions at the London palladium during pantomime season 2017/2018. They won this award last year for the spectacular ‘Upside Down Carpet’ which was the amazing special effect at the Cinderella performances at London palladium and are pleased to have repeated the success this year. Paul, Creative Director describes the magical creations by The Twins FX team in Wareham… “We have pioneered flying in recent years with the bespoke system “Flying without wires”; the audience sees a person or an object move around the stage and then the auditorium with no visible means of support”: “We are a one stop shop and we do everything ourselves: designing, creating/building and delivering the wow factor”. Our slogan is, “we make the impossible…….. possible.” Gary and Paul are thrilled to be part of the winning team. “Coming into work is never boring or a chore because we genuinely love what we do,” says Managing Director Gary. They have a core team of 6 staff but at their busiest, there are as many as 30 model makers, painters and engineers working away in their workshops, like a crack team of seasonal elves. Click with The Twins FX www.thetwinsfx.com

The Great British Pantomime Awards, which will be held on Sunday 15th April 2018, have been announced. Now that the much-loved Panto season is over, The Great British Pantomime Awards are back for the second year, ready to recognise and celebrate the effort that has gone into creating the family favourite shows across the country. Sam Munday-Webb, co-founder said ‘‘We knew that it was never going to be an easy job to see and judge such a vast array of productions in such a short amount of time. Since we launched in 2016 we have been very lucky to have the industry behind us supporting the awards. They are being seen as something incredibly positive and filling a gap in our industry. We want pantomime makers to aspire to innovate as well as celebrate the wonderful traditions we have seen up and down the country". There are over 20 awards up for grabs, including Best Comic, Best Male and Female Baddie, Best Ensemble as well as awards for Lighting, Design and Direction. Last year’s Lifetime Achievement Winner, Christopher Biggins will be presenting the awards on Sunday 15th April 2018 where he will be joined by other guests from Pantomimes and beyond to announce the winners and celebrate the season. For more information click here www.pantomimeawards.co.uk and keep your fingers crossed ……… 

The Twins FX are part of the creative team behind the London’s Westend and the European tour THRILLER LIVE. In its record breaking 8th year, THRILLER LIVE is a spectacular concert created to celebrate the career of the world’s greatest entertainer. After opening in the Lyric Theatre in London on 2nd January 2009 to rave reviews, Thriller Live has celebrated its seventh birthday in the West End, embarked on a world tour and a sell-out UK arena tour, played over 3000 shows globally to 3 million fans, visited over 30 countries and entered the Westend record books by becoming the longest running show in the Lyric Theatre’s 125 year history. Taking you on a visual, audio and electrifying journey through the magic of Michael’s 45 year musical history, you will experience over two hours of non-stop hits from pop to rock, soul to disco. Paying homage to Jackson’s legendary live performances and innovative dance moves executed with flair, precision and passion, this is a show that you will never forget. Read more at http://www.flyingmusic.com/our-shows/thriller-live

MARCH 2016........ The Twins FX are part of the creative team behind the London’s Westend and the European tour THRILLER LIVE.

Dick Whittington at the London Palladium has been nominated for TWO Olivier Awards - Best Family & Entertainment and Best Costume Design! It was great to be part of such a wonderful creative team at the world famous London Palladium. The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply the Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre in London at an annual ceremony in the capital. The awards were originally known as the Society of West End Theatre Awards, but they were renamed in honour of the British actor Laurence Olivier in 1984. The Olivier Awards 2018 with Mastercard ceremony, the UK’s most prestigious stage honours, will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 8 April.

What the papers are saying about us: "spectacular", "amazing", "stunning", "awe inspiring stage effects", " a sugar rush of a show", "this is how to do Panto FIVE STARS", "eye-pleasing spectacle", "marvellous special effects by The Twins FX", "spectacle of flying horses and carriage", "WOW a flying London bus", "eye-popping effects"....... With over 30 pantomimes and Christmas productions featuring our effects in 2017, it's time to start on the 2018 season.

What a year!

What the papers are saying about us:

"spectacular", "amazing", "stunning", "awe inspiring stage effects", " a sugar rush of a show", "this is how to do Panto FIVE STARS", "eye-pleasing spectacle", "marvellous special effects by The Twins FX", "spectacle of flying horses and carriage", "WOW a flying London bus" "eye-popping effects".......

Vote Brian Conley in BBC's Hit Show 'Strictly come dancing' and we are providing effects for the show too. Brian Conley – also known as the self-proclaimed “Dangerous Brian” – is a comedian, presenter, actor and singer who’s been on our tellies for four decades. Brian has hosted several TV shows including Let Me Entertain You, and has performed 13 times, no less, as Buttons in Cinderella pantomimes (“oh no he hasn’t!” Oh yes, he has…) This Christmas, Brian will star in his 35th panto. He’s also done his fair share of theatre, and was nominated for an Olivier for playing the great entertainer Al Jolson on stage. Brian took part in the 2012 series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Then he was announced for Strictly, Brian said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be asked to strut my stuff on this year’s Strictly. My family all love the show and can’t wait to see me do my Dad dancing on national television. I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work but I’m up for the challenge, so bring on the spray tan and sequins.” Strictly come dancing is in on BBC1 Saturdays and Sunday in December.

The Pantomime Season starts here with the BBC A1: Britain’s Longest Road following The Twins FX! The TwinsFX have been planning and manufacturing special effects for over 35 pantomimes and musicals this year, including venues in Aberdeen, Dartford, Glasgow, Bradford, London, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool, Horsham, Birmingham, London, Southend, Aderdeen, Stoke, Manchester, Bristol Plymouth, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Southend, Camberley, Southampton, Stockport, and High Wycombe, helping to break box office records in Christmas productions across the UK So now it’s time for the Twins Fx to take to the small screen…. Watch this space for more information….

Christmas in London wouldn’t be complete without a traditional panto, and what better place than the West End’s legendary London Palladium to get into the holiday spirit. This holiday season you cannot miss the incredible journey of Dick Whittington. Dick is aided on his adventure through the streets of London by The Spirit of the Bells as they face off against the insidious Queen Rat. This pantomime promises to make you laugh and get you in the holiday mood. The amazing special effects, set and costumes are brought to life by an incredibly talented, star-studded cast. Dick Whittington will be played by Charlie Stemp, fresh from his run in Half a Sixpence. This show will be his last before he makes his Broadway debut in Hello, Dolly! In January 2018. Julian Clary, well known comic, author and actor (recently starring in Le Grand Mort) plays The Spirit of the Bells. Elaine Paige OBE (Follies, The King and I) brings Queen Rat to life. The cast is rounded out by Ashley Banjo & Diversity as The Sultan and his Advisors with Paul Zerdin playing Idle Jack, Nigel Havers as Captain Nigel and Gary Wilmot appearing as Sarah The Cook. Christmas is just around the corner and there is no better way to celebrate than by seeing a traditional British panto. Brought to you by Qdos Entertainment, the team behind Cinderella, Dick Whittington comes to the London Palladium for the 2017 Christmas Season.

It's ROARRRRSOME .... Our T-Rex Dorothy checks out the Propstore catalogue... In 1998, Prop Store founder Stephen Lane’s love for movies led him to begin hunting for the same props and costumes that were used to create his favourite films. He found that he could not only provide collectors with access to their most coveted pieces, but also establish archival standards for this new, pop-culture hybrid of fine art and memorabilia collecting—prop art. Once Stephen assembled his dream team of like-minded movie fanatics, Prop Store set out like a band of movie archaeologists, looking to locate, research and preserve the treasure troves of important artifacts that hid in dark, sometimes forgotten corners all over the world. Now, more than nineteen years later, the prop hobby and Prop Store are thriving.

With over thirty employees between our offices in London and Los Angeles and over 25,000 combined square feet of archived props and costumes, we’ve become the busiest and most trusted authority in the hobby.

Check out the propstore.com

In this 15-part series BBC One follows the men and women who work round the clock on Britain’s longest and most iconic road, across nearly 400 miles of the A1 from London to Edinburgh. From farmers to truckers, horse trainers to camel handlers, the series also takes a ride alongside many of the colourful characters who spend their lives on Britain’s most iconic highway, whether for work or play. So now it’s time for the Twins Fx to take to the small screen…. Watch this space for more information….

Qdos Entertainment Group are delighted to announce that they have raised in excess of £1 million for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity – helping to fund a suite of operating theatres at the hospital which are due to open at the end of this year. • Total fundraising now exceeds £1m after bumper year across panto and theatre venues. • Qdos has now supported Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity since 2010. • Funds will go towards a new suite of specialist operating theatres, opening at the end of 2017.

WELLDONE EVERYONE !

Our Pirates and Pirate Ship set sail for Telford Shopping centre for two weeks of fun, live shows and Pirate workshops. The crowds enjoyed being entertained by the Pirates live shows over three weekends. Children spent the week days in pirate workshops creating Pirate puppets and masks and swords. You can see for your self what our pirates got up to. Pirates at Telford Shopping Centre. Check it out ..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDrbNlahttc

New Blades '17 was held on Thursday 8th June at the Holborn Studios in Islington, London and marked the 25th year that 4D modelshop have been supporting model making graduates. The show featured 100 graduates from: the Arts University Bournemouth, University of Hertfordshire, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), University of Bolton, City of Glasgow College, Coleg y Cymoedd and Nottingham Trent University. Despite the fact that the show clashed with the General Election, turnout was as good as ever with over 130 companies signing in. The visiting industry professionals chose Amabel Richardson from the University of Hertfordshire as their 'Best in Show' with Lucy Howe from the Arts University Bournemouth a very close second. Special mention must go to Katie Belbin (Arts University Bournemouth), Naomi Hargraves (University of Hertfordshire) and Annwen Ellis (Coleg y Cymoedd) who all came close in the 'Best of Show' vote. A big thank you must go to the companies that contributed to the cost of the show: Foster + Partners (show lighting), Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (bar), Pinewood Studio Group, Mouldlife and The Twins FX. To mark the 25th anniversary, New Blades produced a trophy for each of the awards plus there was a 25th anniversary souvenir badge for visitors to the show. So..... The Twins Fx "WOW" award goes to....... Naomi Hargraves, well done! www.modelshop.co.uk/Static/New-Blades

2017 July...... The Twins FX are proud to sponsor an award at this year's New Blades.

JUNE 2017 ..... The Twins FX have been part of the creative team helping Paul Zerdin's latest Television appearance.

The Twins FX have been part of the creative team helping Paul Zerdins latest Television appearance on 'Tonight at the London Palladium. Bradley Walsh hosts the series from the world's most famous stage, with performances from stars from across the globe. There is no greater entertainment experience than a live theatre performance and Tonight At The London Palladium brings the stage to the audience. The Twins FX supplied some brand new effects giving Bradley Walsh, Joe Pasquale and Paul Zerdin the wow factor........ Tonight at the London Palladium is on ITV on Wednesday nights, starting at 8.00pm. There will be a total of eight episodes, with April 19 as the first in the series. The last episode in the series will air on June 7, 2017. www.paulzerdin.com

The Twins FX are part of the creative team behind 'Tonight at the London Palladium'.

Bradley Walsh hosts the series from the world's most famous stage, with performances from stars from across the globe. There is no greater entertainment experience than a live theatre performance and Tonight At The London Palladium brings the stage to the audience. The Twins FX supplied some brand new effects giving Bradley Walsh, Joe Pasquale and Paul Zerdin the wow factor........ Tonight at the London Palladium is on ITV on Wednesday nights, starting at 8.00pm. There will be a total of eight episodes, with April 19 as the first in the series. The last episode in the series will air on June 7, 2017.

The Twins FX's effects are being featured on ITV's hit sitcom Benidorm in April - May 2017. Check out the amazing series finale everyone is talking about!

Our effects are being featured on ITV's hit sitcom Benidorm in April and May....... The show first aired on 1 February 2007. Critically acclaimed, Benidorm has received two National Television Awards and nominations at the British Comedy Awards and BAFTAs. Benidorm; the sitcom is based on an all-inclusive resort is currently aired nine series, with the latest from 1 March until 3 May 2017.A tenth series commenced filming in March 2017 and more series are in development. It has become ITVs most successful sitcom, So switch to ITV.... Catch up with Benidorm on the itv hub - the amazing series finale everyone is talking about! with Sherrie Hewson..........

The Twins FX have been recognized for their amazing effects by being presented with Best special effects award.

The Twins FX have been recognized for their amazing effects by being presented with Best special effects award for the flying upside down moped at the Great British Pantomime Awards. Paul from the Twins FX was at the glittering ceremony in London on Sunday to be presented with the award by Christopher Biggins who also won a lifetime achievement award for his roles in panto over the years. The flying moped was just one of the amazing effects that were in the production of Cinderella, the first pantomime to make a return to the West end stage at the London at the Palladium. It’s been over 25 years since a pantomime was running in the west end. “We were thrilled to have our effects on the west end stage” said PaulThe Twins FX continues to grow its business so if you’re in the market for a Flying Coach and Horses or a giant full size T-Rex look no further........... www.thetwinsfx.com www.pantomimeawards.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2017.......We have just been nominated for "Best Special Effect" at this year's Great British Pantomime awards 2017. The winners will be announced on Sunday 12th of March.

We have been nominated for "Best Special Effect" at this year’s Great British Pantomime awards 2017. The winners will be announced on Sunday 12th March at The Theatre Cafe, London, by Christopher Biggins. Our nominations are for “Best Special Effects:” Twins FX – Shark – Dick Whittington – Birmingham Hippodrome - Qdos Twins FX – Flying Coach & Horses – Cinderella – London Palladium - Qdos Twins FX – Upside Moped – Cinderella – London Palladium - Qdos For more information click here www.pantomimeawards.co.uk and keep your fingers crossed ………

With over 30 new shows starting at Butlins this year. The Twins FX are proud to be part of the Butlins creative team. Including in this years line up…… a spectacular pantomime as we follow our hero Dick Whittington and his faithful cat Tommy as they travel to London to seek their fortune. Will he fulfil his destiny and become Lord Mayor of London? Will the evil King Rat stop him and take over the city? Will Dame Victoria Sponge ever find herself a man? Come and find out! Featuring amazing special effects from The Twins FX, this show is packed full of beautiful costumes, a superb soundtrack and all the best panto ingredients with a bit of a twist. It really is a magical treat for all the family! https://www.butlins.com/where-to-stay-dine-and-play/where-to-play/live-shows/

 

DECEMBER 2016 .....The Pantomime Season starts here! What the papers are saying about us: "spectacular", "amazing", "stunning", "awe inspiring stage effects", "eye-pleasing spectacle", "marvellous special effects by The Twins FX", "spectacle of flying horses and carriage", "eye-popping effects".......

DECEMBER 2016 .....The Pantomime Season starts here! What the papers are saying about us: "spectacular" Sunderland Echo "amazing" Mirror "stunning" The Sun "awe inspiring stage effects" londonnewsonline.com "AMAZING" Dailymail "eye-popping effects" Radio Times "spectacular" The Guardian "spectacle of flying horses and carriage" Broadwayworld.com "eye-pleasing spectacle" The Times "marvellous special effects by The Twins FX" theartsdesk.com

It's Pantomime Time !! TwinsFX have been planning and manufacturing special effects for over 30 pantomimes and musicals this year, including venues in Aberdeen, Belfast, Llandudno, Dartford, Glasgow, London, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool, Crewe, Birmingham, Plymouth, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Southend, Swansea, Southampton, Manchester, Weymouth and Bradford, helping to break box office records in Christmas productions across the UK.

-The Twins FX are part of the creative team behind Cinderella at the London Palladium, the most enchanting rags-to-riches fairy tale of them all.

Qdos Entertainment’s production of Cinderella will run at the London Palladium for five weeks only over the Festive season from Saturday 10 December 2016 to Sunday 15 January 2017. Cinderella, the most enchanting rags-to-riches fairy tale of them all will grace the stage of the West End’s most famous theatre this Christmas as pantomime returns to the London Palladium for the first time in nearly three decades. Cinderella stars Count Arthur Strong (Baron Hardup), Amanda Holden (The Fairy Godmother), Paul O’Grady (The Wicked Stepmother), Julian Clary (Dandini), Lee Mead (Prince Charming), Nigel Havers (Lord Chamberlain), Paul Zerdin (Buttons) and Natasha J Barnes (Cinderella). Cinderella is produced by Nick Thomas and Michael Harrison for Qdos Entertainment. Directed by Michael Harrison and co-directed and choreographed by Andrew Wright, Cinderella is designed by Ian Westbrook with costume designs for Paul O’Grady and Julian Clary by Hugh Durrant. Lighting design is by Ben Cracknell with projections by Duncan Mclean, sound by Gareth Owen, musical supervision and orchestration by Gary Hind, musical direction by Greg Arrowsmith and visual special effects by The Twins FX. CINDERELLA plays at the London Palladium from 9 December 2016 – 15 January 2017. http://www.cinderellapalladium.com

The Twins FX are part of the creative team behind BLOC Production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at Bristol Hippodrome from October 4th - 8th. BLOC is an award winning amateur theatre group based in Bristol since 1933 and are 82 years young! BLOC are the only amateur company performing regularly at Bristol's premier theatre, The Hippodrome, since 1956. http://www.blocproductions.co.uk

The Twins FX have just won 3 awards from The Technical Theatre Awards, an innovative set of awards to highlight outstanding achievement and dedication within the technical theatre industry.

The Twins FX have just won 3 awards from The Technical Theatre Awards an innovative set of awards, to highlight outstanding achievement and dedication within the technical theatre industry. The Twins FX won………… The “PLASA” Award for Outstanding Achievement in Automation The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Artistry The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Props The Technical Theatre Awards are organisation started in 2013 to create a innovative set of awards to highlight outstanding achievement and dedication within the technical theatre industry. The awards are about giving credit to dedicated individuals, who are often not recognised for their hard work behind the scenes. The awards function very simply; to bring our amazingly creative industry closer together, giving everyone working within the technical theatre industry the opportunity to recognise the excellence of their colleagues. http://www.technicaltheatreawards.com

Check out www.dinosaurforhire.com our new web site.....

Your guests will never forget the day they came face to face with the most realistic, life size dinosaurs alive. Our team will make our animatronic dinosaurs as scary or friendly as you would like them to be. Our professional puppeteers and handlers will interact with your guests to astound, amaze, and terrify! We have over 20 years experience providing the special FXs for film, television and entertainment industries. The Twins FX have been working with animatronic dinosaurs for TV, theatre and film productions for over 20 years and now you can hire one of our walking life size dinosaurs for corporate events, PR, shopping centres, school fairs and party entertainment. We pay attention to every small detail others overlook. Just take a look at our Baby T-Rex and its selfie cage, or Dorothy our full size T-Rex, it’s time to rent a dinosaur. Our dinosaurs are ROARSOME........

Summer has arrived at the Twins FX, we have been out and about with our dinosaurs.

Summer has arrived at the Twins FX, we have been out and about with our dinosaurs. Dorothy. Our full size T-Rex spent two weeks at Telford Shopping centre and was a big attraction as part of the dinosaur experience. Visitors see Dorothy in the thousands. You can see what Dorothy got up to by following the link below..... She also supported the launch of the Harry Potter book The Cursed Child on Saturday 30th July at midnight and you can see the antics she got up to on our social media accounts Twitter and Facebook. Our baby T-Rex also had an outing in Telford in July at the Carnival of Giants, over 13 thousand people attended the event and Barnum was out and about doing a walk about meet and greet. He was also available in his selfie cage for photos and appeared on thousands of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat accounts. You can check out the pictures on our social media accounts Facebook and Twitter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDrbNlahttc

The Twins FX have supplied effects to one of the latest Blockbuster movie, 'Now You See Me 2'. Four Horsemen are back for ‘Now You See Me 2’. A year after outwitting the FBI and seemingly disappearing, the magicians return to the stage for a comeback performance. But they’re forced to leave early, and end up in the hands of tech genius Walter Mabry. He has his eyes on the key to every computer system in the world, and he wants the Horsemen to steal it for him. And they’re determined to go out with a show that people will never forget.  The eagerly-awaited sequel to the smash hit original, ‘Now You See Me 2’ sees Daniel Radcliffe doing quite a different kind of magic.  Catch this Hollywood blockbuster at a cinema now. www.nowyouseeme.movie

Oh yes they did! Two Dorset companies are celebrating as special effects firm The Twins FX signs a deal with the world's largest pantomime producer.

Oh yes they did! Two Dorset companies are celebrating as special effects firm The Twins FX signs a deal with the world’s largest pantomime producer. Solicitors Humphries Kirk, who have been working with Dorset firm The Twins FX for 18 years, have just facilitated their five-year contract to produce special effects for entertainments giant Qdos Entertainment. Humphries Kirk senior commercial partner, Darrell Stuart-Smith, has advised The Twins FX on all commercial aspects of their business, including contracts, debt, brand protection, staff, HR and more. Darrell, who specialises in law for design businesses, says he’s been able to put this expertise into practise with The Twins FX, especially when it comes to identifying, protecting and exploiting intellectual property rights. “When you’re creative, protecting your intellectual property is key because it applies to everything you produce,” he says. “By putting the right legal structures in place, I’ve been able to free the twins up to get on with creating magical illusions or special effects which is what they do best.” He adds that he has really enjoyed working with the quirky twins and seeing them succeed, especially since they have a shared interest in collecting film and TV memorabilia. Among the assorted TV props the twins have collected are daleks and the original Thunderbird 4. “I work with a lot of creative people, but The Twins FX is definitely one of my more unusual clients – it’s a treat visiting them because I never know what weird and wonderful creatures I’m going to find there.” The Twins FX project manager Gary Hardy-Brown, says: “We love working with Darrell – he’s been an amazing support to us over the years.

The Twins FX are part of the creative team behind Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

The Twins FX are part of the creative team behind Michael McIntyre’s Big Show. Jam-packed with celebrity guests, musical performances and comrades from the comedy realm, the six-part series is being recorded in front of a live audience in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Viewers are guaranteed raucous laughter and a whole heap of fun as Michael hosts in his unique way. The Twins FX supplied a brand new effect. At the end of the show Michael McIntyre makes the dreams of an unsuspecting member of the public come true, when locksmith Craig, who thinks he's come to repair a lock at the theatre, gets the shock of his life and becomes an unexpected star in The Twins FX effect with illusionist Jamie Allan. Watch the performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr-jq2SYtr4

The Twins FX are supplying effects for one of the top shows in Europe this month, Impossible.

The Twins FX are supplying effects for one of the top shows in Europe this month, Impossible. Impossible is the most dangerous show the UK has ever seen arrives at theatres across the country this spring. The show features the world's greatest illusionists live on stage in a magic spectacular that will thrill and amaze audiences of all ages.  Fusing death-defying stunts, technological trickery, grand stage illusions and close-up magic in a fast-paced breath-taking performance, Impossible reinvents the biggest illusions in history in the greatest magic show on earth. Fresh from its ground-breaking run in London’s West End, prepare to be mesmerized and baffled as Impossible brings together world-class performers showing off a stunning range of magical artistry; from astonishing acts of epic proportions to dumbfounding sleight of hand - See more at:www.impossiblelive.com

The Twins FX are part of the creative team behind 3 brand new shows for BUTLINS this year. Laughter Camera Action staring Danny Adams and Clive Webb, The Skyline Gang’s It Magic and Aladdin Rocks are the unique shows. The Twins FX exclusive 2 year deal features these compelling brand new productions. It’s going to be another astounding year for visual special effects for the Twins FX. Check out www.thetwinsfx.com.

"A magic carpet that flies in golden serenity above the heads of the audience. Stunning ......" The Stage "spectacular special effects .......breathtaking...." Telegraph and Argus "breathless production.....helicopter soaring towards ogre country" The Stage "the crocodile was bigger and better than rest... awesome......" Daily Record "An impressive flying car that brings the Chuckle Brothers even closer to the audience………” The Stage "Truly spectacular special effects .....the moment the car hovers off the ground is impressive but what happens next puts the latest 3D films to shame and leaves the audience dumbfounded....... " Express and Star "brilliant (and genuinely terrifying) crocodile" Telegraph "totally amazing special effects"........ Yorkshire Post "Genuine wow moments, including a flying-carpet sequence over the audience's heads……….” THE STAGE

Wishing you a 'Great White' Christmas from all at The Twins Fx......
Introducing our brand new visual effect Bruce the Shark. Our fully animatronic megalodon shark; will be appearing in Qdos pantomine’s production of Dick Whittington at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal 2015-2016 www.qdosentertainments.co.uk Bruce the megalodon shark photograph by www.jonavey.com

The Pantomime Season start here, what the papers are saying about us.......

“The FX Twins have surpassed themselves, 5 STARS” The Stage "simply spectacular...... a magic carpet which will amaze. The carpet, carrying Matt and Julian, comes right out over the audience – and then turns upside down!" Birmingham Mail "spectacular magic carpet sequence, wafting over the heads of the front stalls" whatsonstage.com "the carpet turns upside bringing screams of fear from a delighted audience" Birmingham Post "breath-taking spectacle of it all....King Kong .....magic carpet .....giant cobra for the finale........5 STARS" The Stage. "Stage effects were, as usual, suitably spellbinding.......Cool!" North Devon Journal Another .... " 5 Stars ...the flying fairy coach which closed act one with gasps and cheers." whatsonstage.com "pumpkin-turned-silver carriage is a visual high, twinkling as it propels the Cinderella out into the auditorium to close the first act." The Stage


 

The Twins FX – Proud Winners at the Technical Theatre Awards 2015
Taking home the award for outstanding Achievement in Automation, Gary and Paul Hardy-Brown celebrate with the team, as this award demonstrates their outstanding contribution to theatre productions, film and television worldwide. As described by the Technical Theatre Awards, the winner of this award “should be renowned for their dedication and effort to this discipline and respected among the technical theatre community.”

Just some of the reviews for Hamlet……….. “effects are striking” The Guardian "visually and atmospherically stunning productions" timeout “Five Star Hamlet” Daily Telegraph

Just some of the reviews for Hamlet……….. “effects are striking” The Guardian "visually and atmospherically stunning productions" timeout “Five Star Hamlet” Daily Telegraph The Twins FX are proud to be part of the creative team behind this wonderful production. Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the title role in Shakespeare’s great tragedy. Directed by Lyndsey Turner (Posh, Chimerica). As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to revenge his father’s death but paralysed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state. Hamlet is being performed at the Barbican Theatre from 5 Aug 2015 – 31 Oct 2015.


 

The Twins FX are part of the creative team bringing Stephen Mulhern back to his Butlin’s roots with a brand new show for summer 2015.

The Twins FX are part of the creative team bringing Stephen Mulhern back to his Butlin’s roots with a brand new show for summer 2015. The former Redcoat and host of ‘Britain's Got More Talent’ and ‘Catchphrase’ returns with an exclusive show filled with magic, surprises and games to make you laugh out loud. Anything could happen and most probably will! Check out www.Butlins.com

Aladdin Rocks at Butlins. The Twins FX are part of the creative team behind Butlin's new production, Aladdin Rocks. The show tells the story of a poor street urchin, Aladdin, who discovers a magic lamp and a whole new world of wonders and adventure.

Aladdin Rocks The Twins FX are part of the creative team behind Butlin's new production, Aladdin Rocks. The show tells the story of a poor street urchin, Aladdin, who discovers a magic lamp and a whole new world of wonders and adventure. Set to an upbeat rock soundtrack, with great costumes, stunning sets and amazing special effects from TheTwins FX – plus Paul Burling (from Britain’s Got Talent) as the voice of the Genie. It really is a production to be proud of. Backstage can see up to 40 team working to put on the show with 15 performers, technical crew, make-up and hair artists, wardrobe team and production managers making the magic happen.  After five months of production the show went live during our February half-term break this year and has entertained over 132,000 guests since! I don’t want to give too much away, but if you do visit Butlin’s this Summer. The production is amazing and the illusions are spectacular, rivalling some seen in the West End and Broadway.

 

The Twins FX and Benidorm Palace have taken things again to a whole new level this year.

The Twins FX and Benidorm Palace have taken things again to a whole new level this year. The Benidorm Palace has a capacity of over 1,600 and a stage over 21 metres wide. It’s an amazing venue......The new show, called “Q" opens in June and will leave you speechless - literally! David Moore, the Artistic and Creative Director quotes: “This year's show is going to be like none other - totally unique, more modern and very technical. But what makes this show extraordinary is the involvement of The TwinsFX, the leading companies operating in the field of theatrical visual effects. The show stretches the boundaries to create exciting and innovative entertainment, and is in a completely different league to previous years - will want to go again and again... How are we going to top that next year?”

Brand New effects including a full size, walking, animatronic T-Rex....What the papers are saying about us…..
“The special effects were full-on theatre magic” The Northern Echo
“A Flying Sleigh plus Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and the dinosaur bring yet more gasps from the audience” Evening Chronicle
“Amazing special effects” Independent
“Spectacular” The Stage
“A Flying Sleigh plus Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and the dinosaur bring yet more gasps from the audience” Evening Chronicle
The T-REX is simply amazing” The Sun
“A sky-high helicopter trip to the Land of the Giants that out-rivals anything in Miss Saigon” The Stage

For the first time, The Twins FX “Flying without wires” system has been premiered in a production in Sydney, Australia. The team when out to Sydney in June ready for the show rehearsals and production run, which ends at the end of July. The show, ‘Snow White’, is now breaking box office records at the State theatre in the city. Snow White – Winter Family Musical is an updated contemporary version of the classic fairytale, in the style of a traditional British family Pantomine. The sets and costumes are guaranteed to be spectacular and the show has phenomenal special effects provided by “The Twins FX”. What the papers are saying …. “the best onstage flying illusion I have every seen, and I’ve seen a lot. Forget Mary Poppins, this is the real thing. Western Daily “Wicked show” www.m.shm.com “Stunning effects Amazing show” The Mail

JULY 2014.......For the first time, The Twins FX “Flying without wires” system has been premiered in a production in Sydney, Australia.

The TwinsFX are supplying new effects for one of the top shows in Europe. The Benidorm Palace is a magnificent venue with a world class show straight from Las Vegas, featuring a variety of original, top artistes from around the world. The Benidorm Palace has a capacity of over 1,600 and a stage over 21 metres wide. It’s an amazing venue...... The TwinsFX team will fly out in April and will be on site for a month. “It’s going to be an amazing show; we have some fantastic effects and illusions”. So what’s in store at the Benidorm Palace? Appearing, disappearing, cutting in half and even flying. Watch this space - it’s going to be an astounding year for special effects at the Palace............ Click with www.benidorm-palace.com

The TwinsFX have helped break box office for Robin Cousins' ICE.

The TwinsFX have helped break box office records for Robin Cousins’ ICE. The olympic champion and head judge on ITV’s Dancing on Ice has hand-picked the greatest ice skaters and creative team from around the globe to bring his incredible new production to life. TheTwinsFX have brought some ‘WOW’ moments to the show, including the puzzling appearance of a skater. Dynamic and atmospheric, Robin Cousins’ ICE will draw you into its unique world, where world class skaters glide, soar, flip, appear, disappear and fly in a truly theatrical setting. ICE features a powerful soundtrack of original music and reworked modern classics designed to delight and enthrall. Robin Cousins’ ICE redefines ice skating for a new generation with a spectacular show, the like of which UK theatres have not seen in 30 years. - See more at www.robincousinsice.com

APRIL 2013, The Twins FX have been involved in the “Keep Moving Projects”, an innovative project by BlackBerry to spark brilliant new ideas between creative megastars and their fans.

The Twins FX have been involved in the “Keep Moving Projects”, an innovative project by BlackBerry to spark brilliant new ideas between creative megastars and their fans. The goal? To create new artworks in which fans play a key role. The BlackBerry’s Keep Moving Projects are inviting people all over the world to collaborate with one of the biggest names in movie-making: Robert Rodrigues.To celebrate, Blackberry asked the top special-effects companies including The Twins FX to tell us what the perfect monster looks and sounds like. The Twins FX have loved being part of such a wonderful project. Click below to watch Gary and Paul from The Twins Fx share some of their ideas about creating a monster....... http://www.guardian.co.uk/blackberry-keep-moving/video/how-to-create-a-monster-video

The TwinsFX visual special effects helped break box office records for Christmas productions across the UK last year. 2012 was an amazing year!

The TwinsFX visual special effects helped break box office records for Christmas productions across the UK last year. 2012 was an amazing year for brand new effects at The Twins FX including a 7 metre tall animatronic sliverback Gorilla, a 12m long animatronic Snake and a brand new flying effect called the “Revolver” to name but a few. At the Theatre Royal Newcastle, latest figures reveal that ticket sales for Aladdin, the Theatre Royal’s 2012/13 pantomime became the best-selling panto in the Theatre’s history partly due to the amazing special effects. What’s more, nearly 30,000 tickets have already been sold for next year’s show Jack and the Beanstalk, a new record for advance pantomime sales. Some more great news; The Twins FX have been put forward for a number of theatre land awards this year so which this space....... Here are what the papers are saying about The Twins FX.... “From flying cars to smoke-breathing sea monsters, this year’s pantomime at Birmingham’s Hippodrome is nothing short of spectacular “ The Coventry telegraph “frankincensational special effects” www.walesonline.co.uk “a spectacular flying motorcycle” The Telegraph and Argus “The special effects alone set this pantomime apart from other productions” www.uktheatre.net “a flying car, a fantastic first-act closer” Whatsonstage.com “some terrific special effects” Independent
www.thetwinsfx.com www.twinsworldwideltd.com

 The Twins FX are creating magical special effects in the new production this month, the creative pair are at the Manchester Opera House, as part of Manchester Get it First, Vampirette is a fang-tastic brand new musical that gives you a bite of blood curdling fun.   The show has had some great press so far.... click here
“I wont spoil it, but the bit before the interval, amazing!” ticket master "complete with flying bats soaring over the front rows of the stalls, impressive special effects” city life “Funny night out, act one finale and the evening’s best scene, complete with flying” Manchester Theatre Awards “It’s definitely a musical with bite” Mancunian Matters The Twins FX are one of the leading companies operating in the field of theatrical visual special effects, illusions and animatronics, combining personal service, innovation and engineering expertise with an unrivaled dedication to excellence. www.thetwinsfx.com

APRIL 2012 The Twins are part of the creative team behind Vampirette a musical comedy – a vampire love story. You’ll go batty at this wickedly funny new musical in May at The Opera House, Manchester.

The Twins are part of the creative team behind Vampirette a musical comedy – a vampire love story. Life sucks when you’re young – but try being a vampire too, it’s a real pain in the neck! Vampi isn’t your typical vampire, she dreams of a normal life; boys, fashion – having a reflection! But she soon shows us that just because you’re ‘undead’ doesn’t mean you can’t have a life! This brand new musical which promises excitement, rock anthems, classic romantic ballads plus a host of incredible effects, including a flying vampires, making this show a spooktakular! You’ll go batty at this wickedly funny new musical in May at The Opera House, Manchester. www.vampirettethemusical.com