A large ensemble in clown-like costumes poses on a red-and-white checkered stage under bright marquee lights, with one performer lying face down in the foreground.

The Backstage Theatre, Mountview, 120 Peckham Hill Street, London SE15 5JT2025

Shockheaded Peter

The Production

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts staged Shockheaded Peter at The Backstage Theatre in October 2025, performed by its Actor Musicianship students. The macabre musical by The Tiger Lillies, Julian Crouch and Phelim McDermott, with music by Martyn Jacques, draws on Heinrich Hoffmann’s Struwwelpeter in a darkly comic cabaret style.

49 photographs in the curated edit

Director: Lucy Betts
Musical Director: Alice Brown
Movement Director: Ruth Naylor-Smith
Lighting Design: Billy Highfield
Set & Costume Design: Sorcha Corcoran
Sound Design: Ollie Brennan
Commissioned by: Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Photography: Steve Gregson

An empty circus-style stage with red curtains, painted proscenium panels, bunting, instruments, and a red-and-white checkered floor glows under blue overhead lights.

A performer in a pointed hat, white face paint, and harlequin costume leans forward from a raised platform toward another performer in braces and striped socks under stark stage lighting.

A performer in white face paint, red jacket, top hat, ruffled collar, and plaid trousers gestures with both hands in a close-up under dramatic stage light.

A performer in a top hat and blood-spattered apron holds oversized scissors around another performer’s head while the ensemble moves around them on a circus-like stage.

A close-up of a performer with smudged dark eye makeup, wet-looking hair, a lace collar, and a bright blue bow stands beside a red velvet curtain in dim light.

A performer in a vivid red dress and striped stockings stands elevated with the skirt flared wide as the surrounding ensemble watches under red and blue lights.

A performer with white face paint, curly red hair, a pointed hat, and a large ruff rests one hand on a prop box, gazing ahead in warm stage light.

A performer in a green coat kneels in a spotlight with arms raised, while others behind lift a masked performer in white beneath glowing marquee lights.

Two performers in mime-like makeup and top hats stand in a smoky side light, one holding a French horn and the other seated with drumsticks.

A large ensemble in clown-inspired makeup and theatrical costumes gathers under bright marquee lights, playing guitars, accordion, harp, brass and percussion on a red-and-white checkered stage.

Three pale-painted faces in pointed hats peer vertically through a narrow opening in heavy red velvet curtains.

A performer in a brown coat with a red clown nose and dark cheek makeup looks tensely to the side, with blurred musicians and clowns behind.

A performer in a long green coat stands front and center holding a cane while other costumed performers move and play instruments around a circus-like stage.

A headset-wearing performer in black, with tear-like face makeup, watches intently in warm low light as other performers blur in the background.

Under a tight spotlight, a performer stands at the back holding a red looping prop while two performers bow low in the foreground and the ensemble watches from the shadows.

A smiling performer in a blue dress and yellow boots stands center stage beneath an open umbrella, surrounded by seated and standing musicians in clownish costumes.

A performer in a pink dress twirls across the checkered stage with one arm raised, while musicians play behind under blue and purple lights.

A performer in black kneels close to the audience with painted tear streaks and a sorrowful expression, framed by purple light and blurred movement behind.

A brightly lit ensemble crowds around a raised performer with wild hair, playing instruments and reaching upward on a circus-like checkerboard stage.

Three performers cluster tightly before red curtains, one in a wild grey wig and black costume with long claw-like fingers held by the others.

A performer in mime makeup, top hat, red sequined vest and striped costume stands under angled spotlights in a dark auditorium.

A large ensemble poses across a red-and-white checkerboard stage, with a white-clad clown holding a hoop at centre and musicians arranged behind.

In a warm close-up, a smiling performer in a blue dress crouches low toward a man in dark costume in the foreground.

A performer in a long grey coat stands with a cane on the checkerboard stage, with seated audience members and another performer visible behind.

A white-clad clown plays a large silver tuba close to the camera while other costumed musicians perform behind under stark stage light.

Two performers in red vests stand back to back on a decorated box as the surrounding ensemble sits on the floor looking up at them.

Under blue-purple lighting, a white-clad clown leans over a decorated box holding a red-and-black prop while other performers gather closely around.

A performer in a black satin dress with theatrical makeup holds an open white fan and raises one hand against warm carnival-style lights.

A large ensemble fills a colorful circus-like stage as a performer in a green hat holds an umbrella aloft behind a white-faced clown in a loose white costume with arms spread wide.

A white-faced clown in a diamond-patterned costume stares forward under blue stage lights, with other costumed performers and musicians blurred behind.

Two performers dance hand in hand on a checkered stage, one in a grey dress and yellow boots lifting an umbrella while a white-clad clown steps toward them.

Under intense green lighting, two performers crouch tensely behind a large box, one gripping the edge while the other leans back in a grey dress and striped socks.

A performer in a black satin costume kneels with white-gloved hands raised toward a standing performer holding an open fan, with musicians seated in the stage background.

A white-faced clown in a harlequin costume stands in a spotlight beside a performer lying sprawled on the floor in a red-stained white outfit, while the ensemble watches behind.

A performer in a red jacket, top hat, ruffled collar, and white clown makeup faces the audience with a brass instrument in the foreground, as two musicians stand behind.

A red-jacketed performer in clown makeup strides forward with arms open on a bright checkered stage, while other costumed performers pose and gather around painted boxes behind.

Close-up of a performer with slicked hair, clown makeup, and a red nose holding a guitar strap, with blue-lit musicians and props blurred in the background.

A wide ensemble tableau shows musicians and clowns arranged across a checkered stage under blue spotlights, with a drummer at left and a harlequin-costumed performer at right.

A mime-like performer in a top hat, red waistcoat and checked trousers stands in a spotlight before red curtains, raising one finger on a dark stage framed by small bulbs.

A performer with white face makeup, curly orange hair and a tall cone hat looks up beside a large shiny tuba under warm stage light.

Two performers lift a wide-eyed performer in a long coat into the air on a red-and-white checked stage, with musicians and cast watching behind under green lighting.

A performer in a white lace dress, striped socks and clown makeup sits on the stage floor with legs apart, looking to one side in blue and purple light.

A sailor-costumed performer laughs while thrusting a violin bow toward another performer in an eyepatch behind colorful toy-block set pieces and red curtains.

Two clown-styled performers hold their arms wide in a layered tableau, with musicians behind them and dramatic side lighting across the stage.

Several performers lift a man horizontally above the checkered stage under vivid blue light, while costumed musicians and clowns stand around the set.

A smiling red-haired technician sits at a lighting or sound control desk with screens and illuminated controls in the dim backstage area.

A group of musicians and performers with theatrical makeup gather closely around a double bass, brass instruments, guitar and open score in purple-blue stage light.

Continue exploring

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

The Mack, Mountview, 120 Peckham Hill Street, London SE15 5JT2025

Explore drama school photography