Renewing a creative partnership which began over twenty years ago, Tim Harvatt, of Little Haven-based graphic design company Rockpool Design, this week shook hands on a new sponsorship deal with Milford Haven's Torch Theatre.
The sponsorship, to create the graphic images which will front all the Torch Theatre Company and Summer School productions, was first sealed back in the 1980s with Haverfordwest-based designer Graham Brace when the Torch Theatre was under the directorship of Andrew Manley.
Tim had just joined Graham as a young designer, eventually becoming a partner in the business. Over the years, the sponsorship was renewed as their business evolved.
"We finally went our separate ways five years ago - Graham to fulfil a long time ambition of becoming a full time artist and I continued to my graphic design service, forming Rockpool," Tim recalled.
"Designing posters for the Torch was always a good artistic challenge, but one we used to enjoy - in fact I remember we used to argue about who was going to do it when the next one came up," he added.
After designing the first two 'new look' brochures for the Torch since its re-launch earlier this year, Tim looked at what the Torch Theatre Company had on offer for the season and thought it was about time to re-establish that creative partnership.
When director Peter Doran had completed the script writing for their Christmas panto, so began a new strand of creativity which involved Tim working closely with theatre marketing manager, Lesley Jones.
After deciding all the elements which needed bringing out in the panto artwork, another unexpected partnership was temporarily reformed.
Like a top boy band reforming for a comeback tour, Tim got together with Graham Brace over a strong coffee or two and produced a lively and colourful design which reflected the unique humour of Peter's script for Cinderella.
The news of this latest sponsorship gave Torch director another good reason to celebrate this week, as his production of Neville's Island draws to a close (October 25) after its three week run which attracted great acclaim.
Cinderella opens next month (November 24) to a packed schedule of over 30 performances for local schools has also broken all records for advance bookings for its public performances, commencing on December 20.
The Torch have also especially printed some extra copies of the Cinderella poster for the many collectors who contact them. To get your free copy, just call into the Theatre Box Office.
Tickets for Cinderella, which runs until January 3, may be reserved by calling the Torch Box Office on 01646 695267 or visiting their website http://www.torchtheatre.co.uk">www.torchtheatre.co.uk.