Playhouse Studios Acquires UK Post-Production House Lipsync, Saving Jobs Amid Industry Downturn

Ireland’s Playhouse Studios has stepped in to rescue the struggling UK post-production company Lipsync, preserving dozens of jobs in a challenging industry landscape.

The Dublin-based Playhouse acquired the assets of The Brutalist post house from accountancy firm Oury Clark for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition concludes Lipsync’s financial restructuring following its effective filing for the British equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as revealed by Deadline earlier this year.

Lipsync, known for its expertise in picture and sound post-production, visual effects, and digital intermediate services, had faced severe financial pressures worsened by the pandemic and Hollywood strikes. The deal ensures that Lipsync will not suffer the same fate as Technicolor, which collapsed spectacularly earlier in 2025.

Although the Lipsync brand will be retained, the acquisition allows Playhouse to keep a large proportion of Lipsync’s staff employed, despite some unavoidable layoffs. The company previously employed about 70 staff members, many of whom faced redundancy risks during the bankruptcy proceedings.

“In an industry where jobs are disappearing every week, we are glad that we were able to keep the majority of people in jobs at Lipsync,” said Peggy Cafferty, Playhouse Group’s spokesperson. However, she acknowledged that the company had to “make some tough choices.”

Focus Capital Partners acted as corporate finance advisor to Playhouse, handling the transaction and raising new capital to support Playhouse Group’s expansion across the UK and Europe. Legal counsel was provided by Wallace Corporate Counsel.

Playhouse Group, an Irish media production company specializing in production, post-production, and film and TV financing, regards the Lipsync acquisition as a key component in its strategy to build Europe’s most advanced and agile production and financing group.

The acquisition has prompted leadership changes: Mark Foligno, former Managing Director of Molinare, has been appointed CEO, with Lorcan Kavanagh and Peggy Cafferty taking the roles of Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively, to spearhead the company’s growth.

Founded in 1986 and based in Soho, London, Lipsync has an illustrious history, contributing to many BAFTA- and Academy Award-winning films, including the 2025 Oscar nominee The Brutalist, as well as The Father, The Queen, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

The company was managed by Peter Hampden, Managing Director, and Norman Merry, the financial chief, who sadly passed away earlier this month.

This acquisition brings a hopeful sign amid ongoing struggles in the post-production industry, which has seen mass layoffs following Technicolor’s collapse and other major disruptions. Notably, staff from Technicolor’s subsidiary The Mill partnered with Dream Machine FX to create ARC Creative, while executives from the now-closed Irish company Windmill Lane Pictures joined forces with Molinare to form Elephant Goldfish.