Photo by Debabrata Ray
GARY McCANN
Originating from Northern Ireland, and now based in Brighton, England, Gary works internationally as both a set and costume designer for opera, musicals, and theatre. Having attained first-class honours in Theatre Design at Nottingham-Trent University and now collaborates with many of the world’s most significant companies. He is renowned for using wide-ranging stylistic approaches that combine contemporary and historical elements. As an early advocate and pioneer of AI, he embraces cutting-edge technologies - carefully harnessing their power and potential within his designs.
Gary is currently involved with multiple productions. His rapturously received design debut at Glyndebourne is the premiere of Léhar’s The Merry Widow at the house. Gary’s Fedra (Fondazione INDA) designs have recently been presented in the ancient amphitheatres of Syracuse and Pompeii. His most recent projects include Ariadne Auf Naxos (Teatro La Fenice Venice, in co-production with Teatro Comunale Bologna and Teatro Lírico Giuseppe Verdi Trieste) and Der Rosenkavalier (The Santa Fe Opera, New Mexico), in co-production with Garsington Opera and INO). At the start of 2024, Gary’s work took him to Oman and the opening of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for The Royal Opera House Muscat (in co-production with Teatro Carlo Felice Genoa).
Unconstrained by working solely for opera and theatres, his first ballet production is also set to premiere in 2025 (with the Royal Danish Ballet, Copenhagen). Furthermore, Gary’s expansive artistic scope encompasses a major installation for the National Trust’s first ‘Folly!’ project at UNESCO World Heritage site Fountains Abbey, in addition to creating an ornate golden shrine that now displays the 1300-year-old relics of Saint Wulfram.
With work engagements and international travel schedules, much of Gary’s time is spent abroad; Gary savours any opportunity to enjoy time at home on the south coast of England. Sea-swimming at any time of year and walking in the South Downs National Park are regular activities. Otherwise, he can be found soaking up the sun in the serenity of his peaceful garden and the ‘Regency’ square where he lives.
Gary always likes to ‘cut a dash’ with his unique sartorial style, which he describes as “a cross between Tsar Nikolas II and a WW2 dispatch rider”. As an unabashedly proud vintage motorcycle enthusiast (and official ambassador for Scottish tweed brands), he can often be found gracing the pages of gentlemen’s style magazines.