Making the impossible possible - Inside Wareham’s magical world of Twins FX
Hidden away on the Sandford Industrial Estate sits one of Dorset’s most extraordinary businesses. From the outside, Twins FX might appear to be just another typical industrial unit but a closer look reveals something far more unusual. Outside stand mysterious models of creatures while inside is a world filled with Daleks, dinosaurs, dragons, hidden doors, animatronic monsters and a treasure trove of magical memorabilia.
Inspired by Doctor Who
The company was founded by identical twin brothers Gary and Paul Hardy-Brown, whose fascination with magic and special effects began as children growing up in Purbeck. Their love of the fantastical started in 1979 when Doctor Who was filmed at sandpits near Wareham where their father worked.
“One of the first things we saw was them blowing up Daleks,” recalls Paul. “That was amazing to us as kids – a magical world’
The brothers became magicians and illusionists, touring the world for nearly two decades as “The Twins llusionists’. Starting out as Bluecoats at holiday camps, they developed a double act that grew larger and more ambitious each year.
Then came the turning point. In 2004, they were asked to create an effect that would make Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother fly over an audience with no visible wires. The challenge pushed them away from performing and into theatrical special effects.
From 'Doctor Who' to Panto and 'Back to the Future'!
Today, Twins FX is recognised as one of Europe’s leading companies in theatrical special effects, illusions and animatronics. Their creations have appeared in productions including ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’, Doctor Who Live, Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, and pantomimes at the London Palladium.
Their workshops have produced everything from giant crocodiles and flying dragons to floating magic carpets and Santa’s sleigh. They also created the spectacular flying DeLorean for ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ – a car that flies over audiences to nightly gasps and standing ovations.
Keeping it local
What makes the business even more remarkable is that all of this global creativity happens right here in Wareham. Despite their international success, the brothers have remained loyal to Dorset, using local contractors and suppliers wherever possible and offering work experience opportunities to students interested in model making and costume design.
The company now operates from several large warehouse units in Wareham and employs a core team of skilled staff, with as many as 30 model makers, painters and engineers working during busy periods.
“Coming into work is never boring because we genuinely love what we do,” says Gary.
Paul, the company’s Creative Director, adds: “We are a one-stop shop and we do everything ourselves – designing, creating, building and delivering the wow factor. Our slogan is: ‘We make the impossible… possible.’ ”
The pair’s work has earned widespread recognition. Twins FX were part of the creative team behind the Olivier Award-winning Dick Whittington at the London Palladium – the first pantomime ever to win in the Entertainment and Family category.
Yet for all the glamour of West End productions and international tours, there is still something wonderfully down-to-earth about Twins FX. Perhaps nothing captures that better than Paul’s second role in the community – serving as an on-call firefighter.
“Sometimes I can be busy working on our next project and the pager goes off,” he says. “I literally just say goodbye and leave.”
Treasure trove of memorabilia, magic and monsters!
The Wareham headquarters is also home to an extraordinary collection of television, film and magic memorabilia, including props from Doctor Who, Spitting Image, Sooty and The Muppets. But perhaps the most famous item of all is Paul Daniels’ toupee! The twins, lifelong fans of the legendary magician, paid more than £2,700 for the famous hairpiece at auction.
“Paul Daniels was our inspiration,” says Gary. “The toupee is an awe-inspiring piece of magic history.”
From giant animatronic creatures to award-winning flying effects, Twins FX has built an international reputation for creating unforgettable moments on stage and screen. But at its heart, the company remains proudly local – a Wareham success story built on imagination, hard work and a lifelong love of magic.
And somewhere inside those unassuming industrial units in Sandford, while giants and dinosaurs wait for their next stage appearance and a DeLorean prepares to fly once more, two Dorset twins continue doing exactly what they have loved since childhood: making the impossible possible.
Find out more about Twins FX at: thetwinsfx.com
