I photograph comedians
Showtown, Blackpool 
13 July 2024 – 23 February 202

Client
Showtown

Location
Blackpool

Role
Lead designer
Production and installation

Collaborators
Digital design and production: Katie Hilton
Digital hardware consultancy: Heritage Interactive
Graphic printing: Klein Imaging, Print & Cut
Photographic printing: C41 Photo Imaging

I photograph comedians is Showtown’s first major exhibition in their new special exhibitions gallery. It’s a showcase for Andy Hollingworth’s 30-year career photographing famous faces from the world of comedy, making a tangible connection between entertainers today and the extensive collections on display in Showtown’s new permanent galleries.

The design seeks to champion Andy’s approach to photography and the images he creates, as well as offer a peek at his extensive collection of comedy memorabilia – or humourabilia as he calls it.

The exhibition is divided into four themes to provide contextual structure for our everyday experiences of comedy. Familiar faces from stand-up, TV and live performance are everywhere, and Andy has documented their individual journeys from the back corners of pubs to sell-out arena tours.

Colour and visual context are key principles in the design and exhibition experience. Text and labels are presented in the opened lids of photographic archive boxes. The colour palette is derived directly from photographs, such as the coral colour of Lucy Beaumont’s dress and the blue backdrop to Black Liver’s portrait.

An important part of the exhibition is a touch-screen installation that enables people to sift through digitised imagery and ephemera from Andy’s documentary work with six comedians, including Little Titch, Laurel & Hardy and Ken Dodd. Styled as if looking through archive boxes, visitors can immerse themselves in Andy’s ideas and thoughts behind the photography.

We designed and delivered this exhibition project in just six weeks, managing all aspects of design, production and installation. We collaborated with Katie Hilton to develop and produce the digital archive installation, working closely with the Showtown exhibitions team and Andy to tailor content to suit the experience.