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Light maker taking centre stage in Wicked film

Supplied A woman in a pink jumper holding a green lightSupplied
Rachel Ashby said all the lights were made out of vaseline glass and are all handmade in Melbourne, Derbyshire

When Rachel and Martin Ashby started their business, they could never have dreamed their work would be featured in a Hollywood film.

But it all became a reality when the pair, from Melbourne in Derbyshire, received an order from Universal Studios for their handmade lights to be used in the shooting of Wicked - the Wizard of Oz spin-off - which hit UK cinemas on 22 November.

Set designers for the film contacted the business in October 2022 and asked them to make 50 of their "witches hat" lights and a bespoke chandelier, which were all used inside the Emerald City set.

Mrs Ashby said: "We love films so from a personal point of view it was very exciting to see our lights on screen."

Supplied A green chandelierSupplied
It took Mr Ashby a "couple of weeks" to create the bespoke chandelier for the film

After setting up her family business, Ashby Lighting, in South Derbyshire about 10 years ago, there is now a small team that restores vintage lights, as well as manufacturing their own.

However, making lights for Hollywood is not a completely new experience.

Mrs Ashby added: "We have supplied other film companies such as Warner Brothers, so the set designers might have spoken to each other and possibly recommended us to the Wicked team."

She said she was "proud" something from Melbourne was being seen by millions of people on the big screen.

"The order was a significant order for us and something we are very proud of," she added.

"Times are difficult and the cost of living is causing a lot of issues for people, so it's great the amount of films and TV shows being filmed in UK, as it means local businesses are being used to support those productions.

"We use other local businesses to help us create our lights and I am very proud of being a part of the Derby business community."

Universal Cynthia Erivo is pictured with a green face and witch's hat, next to Ariana Grande, who has a pink dress on and blond hairUniversal
Cynthia Erivo (left) and Ariana Grande (right) play witches Elphaba and Glinda in the film

Mrs Ashby is hoping the firm's lights will be used again in Wicked:Part Two, which is to be released in 2025.

"When I was a girl, I loved the original Wizard of Oz film," said Mrs Ashby.

"It was so magical and I would have never dreamed we would be involved in the franchise, even though it's only a small element.

"To have set designers, who are experts at what they do, to choose us is a massive achievement and it makes all the hard work and long hours all worthwhile."

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