IT IS an award-winning theatre company. He is one of the UK’s top theatre photographers.

Put the two together and you have the energy and creativity to produce a remarkable exhibition and that’s exactly what is about to open in Halifax.

Highly acclaimed photographer Nobby Clark has worked with Northern Broadsides since the theatre company’s first production in 1992 of Richard III.

Many theatre fans will recognise his work because Nobby Clark’s striking images have long been used to promote the work of Broadsides.

He has captured the company in rehearsal and in performance, his powerful images matching perfectly the bold style for which Northern Broadsides has become both known and much applauded.

Now many of those photographs can be seen at Dean Clough Galleries in Halifax, part of the same complex where the theatre company has its home.

The gallery has devoted its premiere exhibition space to Nobby Clark’s work to coincide with 20th anniversary celebrations for Northern Broadsides.

The exhibition, Northern Broadsides – 20 years – photography by Nobby Clark, will run in Dean Clough’s Crossley gallery from May 26-16 September.

It aims to illustrate how a theatre company’s imagery benefits from a ‘house style’ and offers an opportunity to show and admire the work of both company and the man who captured all of it on camera.

Conrad Nelson, Northern Broadsides’ Associate Director and composer, Nelson has composed a soundscape as a backdrop to the new exhibition.

It will feature a series of excerpts from 20 years of anomalous recordings from rehearsals and performances, as well as interviews. The exhibition will also feature a selection of costume from productions.

Nobby Clark is seen as one of the UK’s foremost theatre photographers and that means the complexities of ballet and opera as well as theatre itself.

He has been commissioned at various times by all the major English theatre, ballet and opera companies including the London Royal Opera; London Royal Ballet; the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. During his distinguished career he has also worked on productions by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Peter Hall, Sir Trevor Nunn, Sir Richard Eyre, Sir Alan Ayckbourn and John Schlesinger, as well as productions featuring Al Pacino, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Gambon and Billy Connolly.

His work appears regularly in national newspapers and has been exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Theatre Museum, the Royal National Theatre and toured both the UK and Australia.

Northern Broadsides artistic director Barrie Rutter said: “Nobby has taken photographs involving me since 1968; National Youth Theatre, RSC, National Theatre; London, Stratford, Shanghai and Beijing.

“Homes and offices, newspapers and magazines, billboards and programmes are illuminated with his work. When I formed Northern Broadsides in 1992 there was Nobby to record that first production; 20 years later we are both still rocking and rolling.

“This exhibition is a fine tribute to a fine man and an artist of his trade.”

The exhibition opens daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Admission is free. For further information contact the gallery on 01422 250250 or visit www.deanclough.com