About Simon Annand

Simon Annand has been a photographer for over 40 years focusing on all aspects of the theatre, including production and rehearsal photos, posters, headshots, editorial commission and his own project called The Half about actors preparing for the stage.

Companies Simon has worked for include the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court, Comédie-Française, Moscow Arts Theatre, Theatre de Complicite, Sonia Friedman Productions, Glyndebourne and many other leading theatre producers.

The Half is a book published by Faber & Faber and an exhibition toured by the V&A (London, UK, Paris, New York and Moscow) since 2008. It has been widely acclaimed for the rarity and intimacy of the images. The photos are taken in the 30 minutes before curtain up in the dressing rooms of London's top theatre. The aim is to promote theatre as live performance and there has been enthusiastic support from actors. Among those who have contributed are Cate Blanchett, Martin Sheen, Juliette Binoche, Daniel Craig, Vanessa Redgrave, John Gielgud, Judi Dench, Kathleen Turner, Michael Gambon, Daniel Day-Lewis, Tilda Swinton, Helen Mirren, Daniel Radcliffe, Glenn Close and Mark Rylance.