David Collison’s career began in 1955 as an ASM at the Arts Theatre Club in London where the young Artistic Director, Peter Hall, discovered that David had a particular aptitude for spot-cueing sound effects on 78 rpm discs. This led to an interest in recording sound effects and eventually becoming thee first person to be called a Sound Designer in the theatre. In 1962, he was the first person to receive a poster credit for sound.

During the 1970s and 1980s, he was sound designer on more than sixty musicals in London’s West End, including Fiddler on the Roof, Blitz, Pickwick, Company, Cabaret, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Mame, A Little Night Music, Grease, Applause, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, etc.

He was also Sound Designer for the Royal Shakespeare Company under Sir Peter Hall and for the National Theatre Company under Sir Laurence Olivier. As a consultant, he designed permanent sound systems for many theatres and concert halls in the UK and around the world, including the the National Theatre of Great Britain.

In 2007, he was honoured by the USITT (United States Institute of Theatre Technology) with the Harold Burris-Meyer Distinguished Career in Sound Design Award.

Books Published:

STAGE SOUND (1976) with a foreword by Sir Peter Hall. Second edition in 1982.

“Collison’s book would be an important addition to theatre and college libraries even if it were not a good one - which it is.” CHOICE (USA)

THE SOUND OF THEATRE (2008) describes the use and development of sound in the theatre from the Ancients Greeks up to the modern digital age.

“The whole book is such an informative and generous record of its subject.”

HAL PRINCE (Broadway producer and director)

ARE WE DRIVING UP THE RIGHT RIVERBED? published in 2017, is an account of the many years he and his wife spent renovating a ruined cottage in Spain and then attempting to build a house they had designed in Andalucia. It is a story of elation, despair and comedy in equal measures.

“I was intrigued after such vivid descriptions of the potential property in Spain how David and Alison’s journey would continue. Glad to say I was not disappointed”

M.J.A. (Amazon reviewer)

A brilliant “what on earth will happen next?” thrilling read, full of entertainment, and a twisty story beautifully told. How to survive in foreign parts, a very British tale.

Richard Pilbrow

NAMEDROPPING IN THE WINGS (2021)

"I love books that give you an insight into the workings backstage - especially of there is a bit of gossip involved." So I LOVED THIS BOOK.

Nick Wakeman (Musical Theatre Review)

"Entertainikng, eloquent and star-studded book."

Nick Smurthwaite (Stage and Television Today)

"A most enjoyable read."

Phil Ward (Lighting & Sound America))

"Will without dount appeal to anybody who enjoys reading about celebrities and show business and following an illustrious career."

John Offord (Entertainment Technology Magazine)