ABOUT AREA51
Known throughout the entertainment and production industry, we provide a wide range of high-quality professional event entertainment, and leading prop and décor solutions.
ENTERTAINMENT | Drawing on our extensive costume department, we create and produce entire shows for corporate clients, clubland events and festivals. Our entertainment acts include dancers, musicians, stilt-walkers, fire artists, magicians, make-up artists and actors. We have a huge range of circus acts available including aerialists, contortionists, jugglers, acrobats and other specialists. Our interactive ‘mix-and-mingle’ costumed characters feature everything from hi-tech robots to exotic Rio carnival girls to suited and booted chimps and animatronic creatures!
DECOR | Working out of a 10,000ft production workshop, AREA 51 also make high-quality bespoke décor and props, and we’ve been responsible for many award-winning immersive events. Our workshop team’s creativity and technical expertise are second to none! Décor clients include Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, National Geographic, Thomas Cook, the QEII Centre, Scissor Sisters, Lady Gaga, Johnathan Ross and LinkedIn.
EVENT COORDINATION | AREA 51 not only provide outstanding theming, but we also have excellent and highly experienced events managers who can oversee the entirety of the job, working closely with both the venue and the client to ensure the smoothest operation prior to and during each event.
MATT PAGE | Director
Executive dream maker Matt plots AREA 51’s course through the outer reaches of the entertainment universe.
Whether designing and directing our shows, many of which have headlined major festivals, or manning the company’s culture bunker, AREA 51’s art architect has his fingers on the pulse. With a background in photography, journalism, cartooning and caricature creations, Matt was always destined for a career in arts and entertainment. He oozes an almost incessant stream of brainstorming concepts and it’s this flowing river of his imagination that helps sculpt the company’s distinctive vibe.
RICH MOORE | Director
Co-Director, Rich set up AREA 51 with Matt and never looked back.
Using his excellent expert knowledge of mechanical processes and skills in 3D design and sculpture, Rich has developed a unique and incredibly capable design workshop at the AREA 51 HQ that forms the nucleus of our operation to this day. With his direction AREA 51’s decor and prop design abilities are now recognised as being amongst the very best in the UK. Visit the décor portfolio to view the amazing diversity, scale and quality of the workshop’s capabilities and team.
PIPPIN WOOD | Entertainment Manager
Pippin combines two vital roles as AREA 51’s Entertainments Manager in charge of performer allocations for all the evens and enquiries.
Pippin’s main office duty is managing the entertainment team and securing the right performers for the crammed calendar of gigs that fill the walls of our HQ – and working out the complex logistics to make sure they all get there on time. Her exhaustive network of contacts ensures the customer is kept satisfied. Always busy online and on the phone, finding faces for places, she is also an amazingly versatile performer in her own right her skills list including stilts, fire performance, modelling and makeup artistry!
GEF WHITE | Entertainment Administrator
Once a freelance copywriter, Gef first joined AREA 51 as a rhyming Medieval Banquet Master sometime near the end of the last century!
Although retired from performing, he is the anchor in dealing with our entertainment enquiries and bookings, and known in our office as our official (and rather legendary) script writer. He began work as an Assistant Stage Manager at Coventry’ Belgrade Theatre in the days when it was a rep theatre and he has been a stage-lighting company owner, a News Editor of his local paper, an employment rights advisor and an NHS communications manager – and now, is a core part of the brave new world of AREA 51.
JORDEN MANEY | Entertainment Administrator
Jorden works hard day-in day-out in our office taking and managing all manner of entertainment bookings!
PAUL ALEKSANDR | Events & Performer Liaison | Social Media
Paul is in the entertainment team, dealing with booking performers, coordinating seasonal events and looking after our social media.
They joined AREA 51 initially as a scare actor, using their performance experience in acting, drag and makeup, before taking on more costumed character roles and joining the office to help coordinate the Halloween and Christmas acting events.
AIDEN VAULS | Workshop General Manager
Meet Aiden, the man who makes sure every first-class creation made in our workshop gets done right and on time – and with as little fuss as possible!
In charge of a brigade of workshop technicians, making décor, costumes and props he has responsibility for production, logistics, deliveries, rigging, de-rigging and ensuring the right specialists are assigned to each job. Aiden joined the AREA 51 family as a performer, but after being recruited to help out in the busy workshop he found his true vocation. With his guidance AREA 51 never misses a deadline – however tight!
JACK LYFORD | Workshop Administrator
What can we say about Jack! When he’s not in the workshop or onsite, he’s singing his favourite renditions of Blink-182 anthems!
An artist in every way, his skills at creating décor and props in the workshops are matched by his mastery of working onsite at events and festivals up and down the country – setting up décor, installations, rigging, wiring, lighting designs and more.
GABBY FORRET | Project Liaison
Gabby is a crucial cog in the mad and magnificent machinery here in the AREA 51 Land of Making Dreams Come True: she organises decor production and installations, manages certain events and purchasing, and oversees the running of the Digilegs business – our unique and stunning ‘reverse knee’ stilts!
A multi-talented star who liaises directly with clients, the workshop team, and comes with a solid history of performing too.
OSCAR PAGE | Media Creator
Oscar is our cinematic media mogul – the creator of our trailers, promos and videos for all our events! He directs, edits and is always adding his own creative touches to best show off what we do.
Check out our YouTube for more of his handywork: https://www.youtube.com/user/AREA51CINEMA
LINDSAY JACKSON | Accountant
Lindsay is AREA 51’s Money Master. It’s her role to ensure that AREA 51 gets paid for our events and entertainments enterprises – and that we pay our way in the world to our artistes and providers.
Glastonbury Festival has had the pleasure of working with AREA 51 for many years and watched as the company continues to grow and grow, honing its craft with dynamic effect and professionalism. Their production of Igor Rasputin’s Caravan Of Lost Souls was very well received by all and I look forward to seeing what they come up with next.
Haggis McLeod
Glastonbury Festival
We have worked with the AREA 51 Team for 5 years on a variety of events, we have always found them professional and helpful, drilling down on the detail. The team are a great asset from the contact in the office to the artists and build staff onsite. Competitive pricing and fantastic acts – we would highly recommend.
Vanessa Carter
Events Director, Pandora Events
We have collaborated with AREA 51 now for many, many years! They continue to be a valued partner. The creativity they bring to our venue and specifically our Santa’s Winter Wonderland event is invaluable. Add to that the fact that they are a great bunch of people and we really enjoy working with the guys. Long may our working relationship continue!
Isabelle Chadbourne
Company Executive Snowdome Ltd
Matt Page of AREA 51 has made a significant contribution to the success of the various evening circus performances at the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Matt’s imagination and vision has been a pleasure to work with. Rarely do I get the opportunity to enjoy such a creative and talented mind.
Martin Burton
Founder and Director, Zippos Circus
Many thanks to Area 51 for supplying and co-ordinating entertainment for the Big Reunion winter festivals again this year. It’s priceless knowing that I can rely on you guys to take charge of a major part of the event and deliver top class results every time: Professional performers, spectacular shows.”
Paul Little, UK Events Coordinator, Thomas Cook UK & Europe
Paul Little
UK Events Co-ordinator, Thomas Cook, UK & Europe
AREA 51 has been an integral part of Finolhu since the very beginning, providing us with 365 days of excellent service and delightful events. I find AREA 51 extremely professional, self-motivating and easy to work with. Looking forward to a flourishing partnership with you.
Marc Reader
Resort Manager Finolhu, Maldives
I love it! I love it! I love it!
(commenting on her giant piano, designed and built by Area 51)
Lady Gaga
Singer, record producer, activist and philanthropist
That’s awesome, it looks great, guys. Well done Area 51!
(after seeing AREA 51 complete the Halloween themed décor on his mansion)
Jonathan Ross OBE
Television and radio presenter
The Port at Bestival was our most ambitious structural build to date and was the talk of the festival … not least due to AREA 51’s incredible energetic stage activity, dancing and aerial.
The guys and girls worked their legwarmers off all weekend day and night and many of the acts drew audible gasps from the packed audience with their daring aerial trickery and relentless dance moves. AREA 51, we salute you.
Rob da Bank
Radio presenter and co-founder of Bestival
There are times in one’s life when one meets somebody, and an audible click is heard. When Scissor Sisters met AREA 51, that click was the thunderous roar of two galaxies colliding and forming an all-consuming super-universe: one where every star is a sun, every sun the center of its own menagerie of orbiting planets, and each planet teems with strange, magical life.
This otherworldly collision has not only produced some of the most amazing musical and foam-rubber collaborations the world has ever seen, it has resulted in the deep and enduring friendships between the members of Scissor Sisters and AREA 51. I am proud to be a part of their family, and for them to be a part of ours. Can’t wait to hitch our circus wagons together again soon!
Ana Matronic
Scissor Sisters singer and radio presenter
I wanted to thank you and ALL the acts, make-up artists, wardrobe helpers, choreography, speech writers and riggers for making Saturday night the best show ever – it was full of life and charisma, and far exceeded my expectations. One lady came up to me and said it was like having front row seats at a West End show – surely praise enough but the feedback has been beyond words. I think the event will go down as their most memorable event for many years to come. We all absolutely loved it.
Thank you again so much for a truly spectacular show – it was outstanding.
Karen Tanner
KT Events
AREA 51 have worked closely alongside us at The Zoo Project Festival providing all kinds of larger than life costumes and exciting performances for the last two years. They always go above and beyond to help make our vision become a reality and are an extremely friendly and professional team of individuals to work with. We look forward to future collaborations with them.
Ross Mogli
Production Manager, Zoo Project Festival
Working with AREA 51 on our ‘Circus Circus’ event at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, has been an absolute pleasure. Our Christmas parties, which cater for 10,000 covers over three weeks, form the biggest multi-night event of its kind in the area, and our expectations when it comes to suppliers are extremely high. AREA 51 have not only delivered on the live nights with great performances and professionalism but throughout the year the team have been superb – putting up with my demands, changes and requests. I expect my relationship with AREA 51 to continue as events at the Arena develop across the coming years.
Mikala Turner
Special Events Manager, Ricoh Arena
We have worked with AREA 51 for many years and we are constantly impressed with the service we receive. The performers and costumes are always of the highest quality and we know we can trust that they will put in 100% for every event.
Emily Davis
Head Of Sales, Contraband Entertainment and Events Agency
For over 25 years there have only been 2 icons of pure and wild and sheer unadulterated UK events with a twist of unique entertainment value – AREA 51 and DR M.
From “Kiss My Axe” and Masquerade, as the Forefathers Of Performance Art, came the decades of decadence that shaped the British events and entertainment industry landscapes. Nowadays AREA 51 and DR M are considered The True Godfathers Of It All … untouchable in their creativities. The memories are still strong and vibrant. The anecdotes are all legendary and real.
AREA 51 are the only true purveyors of excellence and DR M salutes them anew, as he lights their fuse and to once more catalyses their continuing successes for well over a quarter of a century.
Nobody Is Safe … Let’s keep it that way! Expect The Unexpected
Adrian Silas
Managing Director, DR M Ltd
I thought it was amazing! Seriously, I have used other London based companies in the past and none were as professional as you guys. The performance blew people away and I have had loads of great feedback on the costumes and the living arch! All in all I will be using you guys again so a big THANK YOU!!!
Carmela Rodia
Reward and Recognition Co-ordinator, Barclays Bank UK plc
We have had the pleasure of successfully working closely with Area 51 for several years on our annual conferences and each year they have been outstanding. The way they imaginatively and creatively transform our conferences into memorable events is a credit to them. The whole process from the embryonic stage through negotiations, designs, manufacture and installation is always a pleasurable and hassle-free experience. Not only that, but their various members of staff are all highly professional and driven people who know how to deliver.
Paul Eyre
CEO, United Carpets
Thank you all so much for making the first Beachdown Festival such a huge success – the feedback we have had about the Cabaret Tent has been exceptionally good. Again thank you all for your sterling work, and patience.
Stu White
Cabaret Tent Co-ordinator, Beachdown Festival
Dear all at AREA 51, thank you so much for the amazing Moulin Rouge performances and entertainers you put together for our event. I stayed until the bitter end and people continued to give great, if slightly slurred, feedback and were all still beaming as they left the venue!
The run up to the event was made much easier by your efficiency and professionalism. On the night itself, I felt supported and confident that I could leave things up to you guys!
Amelia Heath
Events Producer, Paul Farris Entertainment
On behalf of both Liz Hobbs Concerts and Events and Doncaster Racecourse we would like to thank you for all of your hard work at the Doncaster St Leger race meeting. The whole entertainment package was deemed a success and we really appreciate your efforts. We have received positive feedback regarding entertainment thanks to your hard work
Holly Gillanders
Special Events Co-ordinator, Liz Hobbs Group Ltd
Just want to say a BIG THANK YOU for all your hard work on Sunday for Santa’s Sack.
It was a very successful night and that night couldn’t have happened without you. Feedback has been out of this world and I hope that we can all work together very soon on the next event.
Jay Page
Promotions Department, Tiger Tiger, Cardiff
I wanted to say a huge thank you for the support from your girls at our wedding, they were so professional and lovely to everyone they came into contact with. Please give a huge thank you to your team and I hope I can use your company again in the future.
Vicky Dilcock
A happy bride!
BACKGROUND
AREA 51 evolved from a top-notch troupe of medieval sword-fighters and banquet performers in the mid-1990s. Even then we successfully staged regular outdoor performances at Glastonbury and other festivals, showcasing ever more creative and futuristic fantasy costumes, décor and props. We adopted the name ‘AREA 51’ in 1999, just 10 years before we became AREA 51 Design Ltd.
Our creative qualities were successfully showcased on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent when we reached the semi-finals with huge dancing LED-lit robots armed with pyrotechnics, and stunning sci-fi-alien dancers. AREA 51 designed, developed and created all the big-screen-quality costumes in-house, while producing and performing the entire act’s energetic choreography.
Today we operate on a global scale. AREA 51 have established themselves as far afield as the Maldives, where we supply top-class entertainments to meet the rigorous demands of numerous high-end resorts for special themed occasions, including a full-time resident crew on Finolhu.
We have more than a thousand performers on our books covering a huge range of skills and artistry. To qualify as approved AREA 51 performers, they must provide detailed profiles of their skills and pass our own accreditation standards, including live auditions. We also train and develop artistes to ensure a future flow of multi-skilled quality performers.
