Let’s turn up the stage lights for Sarah Buckmaster as she celebrates 20 fantastic years at Production Light & Sound Ltd.

From her first day handling gear in the warehouse to now leading the company as our Director and Technical Manager, Sarah shares the stories and insights from her two decades with us. As a female leader in the world of theatre, music and corporate events, she’s seen it all — from small gigs to huge spectacles — and still loves every bit of it!

What do you remember about your first day at PLS?

To be honest it’s so long ago, that I can’t say I remember that much about my first day! But I’d already done quite a bit of freelance work for PLS before I started full time, including helping to set up the warehouse, so I knew where everything was. It was a pretty busy time when I started, so I imagine my first day was full on with prep and tidying. I started as the warehouse technician, but fairly quickly became involved in the quoting and admin side of things too, as well as going out on the events.

What has been your most memorable event at PLS and why?

There have been so many, but I always love the venue transformations when we work on the corporate and private events. Being involved in putting a marquee up on the side of Snowdon and lighting up the whole area was certainly interesting, but one of the most memorable was probably when we were working with Bjorn Again and I did their lighting to open the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.

What is the best thing about your job?

Probably the variety. Every week we are working on different projects. Just this week I have shared quotes for conferences and awards dinners in hotels, lighting rigs for theatre shows in a library, full production including staging for a festival in a town centre and a wedding in a stately home!

Is your desk tidy?

Rarely, I do try but there are usually job sheets and plans for multiple events on it. Plus, a bag of snacks, a cup of tea and a bottle of water.

What 3 words would you like your clients to associate with PLS?

Friendly, helpful, reliable.

What is it like being a woman business owner in this field?

I’m not sure I really get treated differently to anyone else but maybe that’s because I’ve been involved in the industry for so long and, having worked in many different roles, I really understand what is needed on the events we work on. However, I do get a lot of people saying they don’t know how I manage it. It’s certainly not easy and there are a lot of challenges and demands on my time (not least with two small people at home). But I think there is a lot to be said for being honest about where you are at and being realistic about what is possible.

How has the industry changed in the past 20 years?

There have been many changes in the industry, mostly for the better, such as efforts to improve what we do. We’re focusing on better work/life balances and ensuring we don’t work overly long days to keep everyone safe. Advances in the software technology we use has made planning and co-ordinating every event so much easier. While massive improvements in LED lighting have reduced power and enhanced the look of shows. Sound systems and video wall technology have become more efficient and accessible too. At PLS, we’ve also got really involved in working with green power solutions, helping to reduce the amount of fossil fuels we use. It’s great that by stocking a range of battery power solutions, we are able to give our clients different options.

What do you think makes PLS successful?

The incredibly talented people that work with us to delivery our clients’ events. I certainly couldn’t have made it through the last five years without the amazing team that work with me, helping and supporting me every day. From those in the warehouse keeping the equipment working and prepping it all to go out on site to the team in the office who help with the quoting and planning, as well as all our incredible freelancers who go out each week and deliver our clients’ vision.

I’d also say our ability to be flexible to our clients’ needs both during the planning and delivery of the events, our creative skills to come up with ideas to support our clients’ visions, no matter their budget, and finally, our desire to make every event unique and special for the client and their guests.