James (Jim) Laws started lighting theatre and concerts in 1968 and he is a Fellow of the ALPD. Through a long career, he has gained an interest in lighting’s past, which has grown to an understanding and an enjoyment of historic lighting recreations. He has lit concerts in candlelight, assisted with Gas & Limelight and advised on authentic lighting for films (Chaplin, Mrs Henderson Presents, Topsy Turvy) television (The Entertainer) and the stage (Star Quality, the Dresser, Thespis). This service is supported by his collection of historic lighting, now vested in The Historic Stage Lighting Collective (HSLC), which has the long-term aim of being recognised as the national collection and knowledge centre for understanding & working historical stage lighting in the UK.

For PLASA 2025 the HSLC prepared a 1956 Strand Electro-mechanical preset desk (system CD), which was the lighting board for Jesus Christ Superstar. (JCSS) Aspects of its internal workings were made operable. We also showed a copy of the original operating plot from JCSS (August 1972). Other working exhibits we showed were: Pan Can, the pioneering joy-stick controlled mirror-beam spotlight attachment from the early 1980s and a cut-away Pattern 263 from Strand’s demonstration theatre, C. 1963. He lives in Suffolk with his wife Pat, a Prop Maker whose career included a residency at The Old Vic for the nascent National Theatre. James lectures on historic lighting to drama colleges & historic groups. He enjoys choral singing in Suffolk UK, where he & Pat have lived since 1987.