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, has gone onto enjoy collaborating with the some of the world’s most significant companies.  He is renowned for using a wide variety of stylistic approaches that often combine contemporary and historical elements. As an early advocate and pioneer of the use of AI, he embraces cutting-edge technologies - carefully harnessing their power and potential within his designs.

Gary is currently preparing numerous productions: these include his much-anticipated design debut at Glyndebourne – suitably lavish, it will be the premiere of Léhar’s The Merry Widow at the house. But before the summer kicks in, his designs for Fedra for Fondazione INDA will be presented - with shows in the ancient amphitheatres of Syracuse and Pompeii. Further upcoming 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’s Nights Dream for The Royal Opera House Muscat (in co-production with Teatro Carlo Felice Genoa). 

Unconstrained to 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 a golden shrine that now displays the 1300-year-old sacred relics of Saint Wulfram.

 With work engagements and international travel schedules meaning much of his time is spent abroad, Gary savours any opportunities 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 on the picturesque Regency square on which he lives.

Gary always likes to ‘cut a dash’ with his own 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 also be found gracing the pages of gentlemen’s style magazines.