The Making of AMPLIFIED!
When the curtain rose on AMPLIFIED! last month, audiences were met with a show that felt effortlessly electric. A seamless, high-octane journey through the greatest pop and rock anthems ever recorded. But behind the soaring vocals, striking visuals and infectious energy lies months of careful planning, creative collaboration and meticulous organisation.
Building the Setlist
Every great production begins with a single idea. For AMPLIFIED! that idea was simple but powerful: let’s celebrate the songs that have defined generations.
Creative Producer Roxy Yarnold recalls the earliest conversations: “We wanted to create something instantly recognisable. A show where the first few notes of a song would spark a memory. It might be a first dance or concert, a road trip, or just a moment in time.”
As the production’s backbone, the setlist isn’t just a collection of great songs — it shapes a whole new theatre experience and exciting musical journey.
The opening sequence was one of the first elements to fall into place. We Built This City, I Love Rock ’n’ Roll, and We Will Rock You immediately set a bold and instantly recognisable tone, before moving into distinct musical chapters.
Hits like Johnny B. Goode and Hound Dog capture the raw energy of early rock ‘n’ roll, followed by a British invasion that adds punchy, rebellious tracks from The Kinks, The Rolling Stones and more.
Powerhouse numbers like Highway to Hell by AC/DC and Walk This Way by Aerosmith drive a classic rock section forward, before a Fleetwood Mac medley offers a smoother, more atmospheric interlude.
Roxy explains: “Every PTC production is a fine balance between full throttle and those slower moments which we know our guests love.”
That balance carries through to the later sections too, from glam rock’s theatrical flair to the storytelling heart of American rock, before culminating in a finale packed with arena anthems like Livin’ on a Prayer and Don’t Stop Believin’.
It’s a setlist featuring almost fifty massive hits spanning different decades and eras of rock — and a Potters Theatre Company experience for the ages!
From Sketch to Spectacle
With the musical elements in place, Creative Production Manager Shane Balls describes the phase where imagination meets logistics. “You’re taking abstract ideas — energy, nostalgia, excitement — and figuring out how to represent them visually on stage. That’s where the real challenge begins.”
With the unique qualities of both The Glade Theatre and The Atlas Theatre, each required a very different setup. Initial planning involved detailed sketches and digital mock-ups, exploring how the show could look within both. Working alongside Tech Crew — who are responsible for transforming ideas into fully immersive productions — the aim was to create a versatile design that could adapt to different musical styles and eras. Backstage, entrances, exits and scene transitions have to be designed with military precision.
“People see the finished product on stage, yet the best technical work is often the work nobody notices, because everything feels completely natural,” said Group Technical Manager Lawrence Chandler. “There are hundreds of moving parts in a production like AMPLIFIED! and our job is to enhance every performance, keeping it flowing for the audience but also the cast who bring it to life.”
The result is a layered staging concept, built around dynamic lighting rigs, adaptable set pieces and multi-level performance areas. Each genre has its own visual flavour without interrupting the flow of the show. Large-scale lighting and visuals enhance the storytelling, from bold, graphic backdrops during the glam rock section to softer, atmospheric tones for the ballads.
Shane adds: “In terms of visuals, it’s always about complementing the production, not driving it. We want the audience to feel immersed, but their focus should always be on the cast and the music.”
Props and Platforms
While the big visual moments often steal the spotlight, it’s the smaller details that bring authenticity to each section.
From flight cases, electric guitars and star spangled pianos for pacey sections, to camp fires and wooden benches that give Woodstock vibes for the slower sections, the props list for AMPLIFIED! was extensive.
Creative Assistant Saskia Dean says: “Props seem like a small part of the show, but they’re essential for storytelling. They help to define each era, giving the performers something tangible to work with.”
Meanwhile, costume design began early in the process, with initial sketches reflecting the range of decades featured in the show. Each section required a distinct look, from the rebellious edge of classic rock to the glittering excess of glam.
“With over 300 costumes to source, it’s a major task. But researching the different eras was exciting, it’s been a really fun production to work on.” says Roxy.
Building the Show Piece by Piece
Starting with vocal rehearsals, cast members from both resorts gathered at the Zest Rooms in Hopton-on-Sea in April for an introductory get-together and setlist unveiling.
From there, cast members worked intensively on harmonies, phrasing and vocal dynamics, ensuring each song retained its original character, while fitting into the overall style of a new Potters Theatre Company show.
Choreography was layered in, with the highly-respected Gaz Davis, Simon Barnum, Helen Ramsay, Josh Wharmby and Nicola Mac adding their professional touch to reflect the distinct energy of each musical era.
As a former PTC dancer, Saskia recalls the atmosphere in the rehearsal room: “There was an immediate buzz. You could feel that the cast connected with the material straight away. Every run-through brought something new.”
And with any new production, tech rehearsals always mark a turning point. It’s the moment when every song, cue, transition, spotlight and visual effect align, and long days are spent running the show in full — with and without the cast members — testing and refining to ensure the show runs seamlessly in not just one theatre, but two.
Lawrence explains: “AMPLIFIED! has a very particular energy, and recreating that in a theatre environment takes a lot of work. You want the audience to feel the excitement of the music, while still keeping everything crystal clear.”
Bringing It All Together
As opening night approached, rehearsals intensified leading up to the all-important dress run — a full show experience behind closed doors.
“For us, it’s that last opportunity to fine-tune,” says Hopton-on-Sea PTC Manager, Katie Green. “A lighting cue here, a vocal tweak there, a slight technical change in staging or volume. It’s the acid test, ensuring every element meets the high standards expected of every Potters Theatre Company production. Nothing is ever left to chance.”
When AMPLIFIED! finally debuted in June, it was the culmination of months of creativity, collaboration and dedication. From the first beat of the opening number to the final encore, the show delivered exactly what it promised — a bold, immersive celebration of music that resonates across generations.
And for Roxy, the journey from concept to stage is what makes productions like this so special:
“Seeing it all come together in front of a live audience is incredible. You start with an idea, and suddenly it’s a full-scale show that people are singing along to and connecting with. That’s what it’s all about.”
What makes AMPLIFIED! stand out isn’t just its setlist or its staging — it’s the collective effort behind the scenes.
From the first brainstorming session to the final dress rehearsal, every member of a 60-strong team has played a part in shaping the production. It’s a process built on collaboration, creativity and a shared commitment to delivering unforgettable guest experiences in our theatres.
And if the reaction so far is anything to go by, AMPLIFIED! is hitting exactly the right note.
AMPLIFIED! now appears on every Fully Inclusive Break at both Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea and Potters Resorts Five Lakes. Whether you’re joining us for a summer sizzler, cosy autumn getaway or fabulous festive break, you’ll get to see this stunning new Potters Theatre Company production!
