An entertainment specialist from Cumbria is enjoying its biggest year yet as it wows the crowds at major events across the country.


Explosive Productions, based in Carlisle, owned by Sid Sims, who founded it 20 years ago, produces shows which play everywhere from major West End theatres to famous racecourses.
The company’s success earned Explosive Productions the SME of Year Award at last year’s in-Cumbria Awards in November.
Originally from Newark, near Nottingham, Sid began his career as a Butlin’s redcoat in the late 1980s and came to Cumbria to work at the Oasis Lakeland Holiday Village, near Penrith, as its head of entertainment.
Oasis was purchased by Centre Parcs in 2001 with Sid continuing to lead entertainment at the site for another three years.
As an experienced operator, Sid received regular requests to work on shows outside of his day job and decided to make the move to set up Explosive Productions in 2004.
“It was a big gamble but I wanted to have my own productions and do my own shows and take it to a wider market,” he said.
The business began life in incubator units at Redhills, near Penrith, staging shows at holiday parks and corporate events.

Its work grew to include cruise ships, as well as developing its 80's (sic) Live show, which now tours venues across the country every year, entertaining people with an array of hits from the decade.
It now operates from purpose-built premises at Kingmoor Park, Carlisle, complete with studios, sound and light equipment and providing everything from technical support and bespoke costume design to choreography.
The business employs five people in its head office team, with performers and technical staff working on a freelance basis.
By early summer, Explosive Productions had 150 shows booked, including for its 80’s Live and 90’s Live shows, with Sid expecting this to rise to 200 to make it the company’s biggest year ever.
The company also puts on private performances for corporate events, as well as its annual Christmas Live show at Doncaster Racecourse, “the biggest Christmas party in Yorkshire”, attracting up to 2,000 people a night.
It has also expanded into producing entertainment at large outdoor events, booking acts and supplying the stage, sound system and everything else at venues including major race courses.