The Halo, a 1,000W (3,200 K) halogen wash light fixture, was specifically designed for use in theatre and television, and The Woman in White marks the Broadway debut of the Halo. The original London production of the musical, was lit by UK-based lighting designer, Paul Pyant. Pyant's Associate Lighting Designer for the original production, David Howe, was tasked with recreating Pyant's design in The Marquis Theatre, New York.
"We needed a bright, colour mixing, tungsten-source wash light with a great range of subtle pastel and tonal colours that was consistent across all units," remarks Howe on the decision to use the Clay Paky Alpha Wash Halo fixtures. "As the show's scenery is entirely projected, a fixture with a wide focus range was essential to prevent any unwanted light spill. For this reason, the automatic top hat on the Alpha Wash Halo is also very useful. Noise level was also factored into our decision, and the Halos move quickly and quietly."
The 14 Clay Paky Alpha Wash Light Halo fixtures on The Woman in White were supplied, along with the rest of the lighting rig, by Hudson Scenic who also built the set. The Alpha Wash Light Halo features CMY colour mixing, variable linear frost, an indexable ovalizer, a strobe and a 0-100 percent electronic dimmer. "The brightness of the Halos is surprising," notes Howe. "Even when used in a full, saturated blue the Halos are still really very bright. I also love the virtually silent Top Hat - very neat."
For the Broadway production on The Woman in White, Pyant and Howe were assisted by US-based associate lighting designer, Vivien Leone, US-based assistant lighting designer Jared Sayeg and UK-based programmer Vic Smerdon. Pyant and Howe will again be using fixtures from Clay Paky's Alpha range for the new Lord of the Rings musical, which opens in March 2006 in Toronto.
(Jim Evans)
