Bev Shalts

Bev is a founder member and co- ordinater of Tentacle, and has many years of experience working in theatre, opera and ballet, film and TV.

After achieving her arts degree, she studied Historical Costume and Patternmaking for 2 years before beginning her career as Head of Costume Props Department at Leicester Haymarket Theatre, specialising in building large musicals for West End transfer.

Soon she was asked to become involved in other projects, and she became freelance, creating her own workshop.

She has since worked for most of Europe's premiere Opera and Ballet houses -including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London - as well as doing much film and TV work. Tentacle Studio has many regular clients in Europe, including De Nederlandse Opera (The Dutch National Opera) and Het Nationale Ballet (Dutch National Ballet), Stageholdings (working repeatedly on Cats, Sound of Music, Three Musketeers, and Elizabeth) and also at Wagner's Bayreuth Festspeile, Germany.

The decision was made to transfer the business to Amsterdam 8 years ago in order to be closer to European work contacts. This enabled Bev to increase the workshop in both size and capabilities.

She's an expert in pattern cutting, dyeing, and all things to do with fabric, plastics and rubber. Her other specialisms are in making animal heads and masks, direct modelling and mouldmaking: anything from cute and comic to ultra realistic.

For the past 8 years Bev has run the workshop, co-ordinating a team of freelance workers, as well as working hands-on as part of the team.

Mike Petty

A classically trained sculptor, Mike has over 25 years experience in the field of sculpture and props since graduating as a Batchelor of Arts with Honours in Sculpture.

For many years he was head of the busy Props Department at the Haymarket Theatre.
Also an accomplished painter in oils, his work takes pride of place in private houses, hotels and government buildings around the world. He is an expert mould maker, and has trained in bronze casting. He works regularly with wood, metal, plaster, latex, poly foam and fibreglass.

Having worked for the BBC and award-winning designer Eiko Ishioka, he's created effects for "King Arthur" and has been kept very busy recently with building scenery for events and television,latex castings and mouldmaking.