South Africa - Stage Audio Works recently completed a successful installation of a new house lighting system at Unite 180 Church's new 2,500-seat capacity space in Pretoria. The project, which commenced in April 2023, aimed to provide the space with a controllable RGBW house lighting solution that would enhance the ambiance and overall experience of the congregation. The decision to specify Stage Audio Works' Stage Plus house lighting solution was driven by the client’s desire to achieve superior control, zoning capabilities, and a wide range of colour options to create dynamic lighting effects within their budget. "We are thrilled to have partnered with Unite 180 Church to deliver a cutting-edge house lighting system for their new venue," says Lee Thomson, sales manager at Stage Audio Works. "Our team has been working closely with Unite 180 on a number of projects o
Kazakhstan - The Kazakh State Academic Musical Drama Theatre has upgraded its performance credentials with a new venue and an extensive new lighting rig, including 32 fixtures from Italian manufacturer, Prolights. The extensive new lighting system was installed as part of a major sound and lighting upgrade, provided by leading entertainment technology consultant, and Prolights' partner for Kazakhstan, Samat Show Technic. Named after one of the country's best-known actors, Kalibek Kuanyshbayev (1893-1968), the K.Kuanyshbayev Theatre first opened its doors in 1991 and has been an award-winning focal point for Kazakhstan's art and culture ever since. While the original building remains a pearl of Astana's artistic heritage as the headquarters of the Youth Theatre, in 2020 the go-ahead was given for a new, secondary auditorium to be built, to serve as the Kazakh State Academic M
Romania - The Bucharest Opera recently staged The Phantom of the Opera, Broadway’s longest-running musical, with a wide array of Claypaky fixtures illuminating the action. The production at the Bucharest National Opera House ran from 31 March to 14 May, with the first performances selling out hours after tickets went on sale. The show’s staff worked with teams from Broadway and London’s West End to ensure a high artistic level was achieved. Lighting designer Bogumił Palewicz selected the Claypaky fixtures, which were supplied by Bucharest’s Marbo Trade, Claypaky’s distributor in Romania. The package consisted of 33 Scenius Profiles, 20 HY B-EYE K15 and three HY B-EYE K25 moving head washes, four Arolla Profile HPs and four Sharpy X Frame compact hybrid fixtures. “Claypaky represents good quality and innovative solutions,” says Palewicz. “T
UK - They might not have been as common as flags at Glastonbury, but Chauvet Professional fixtures were widely deployed at Worthy Farm. The company’s products were used to add extra colour and excitement to 17 of the festival’s stages. Included in the group were main attractions like the Pyramid, Greenpeace, Flying Bus and new Levels stages, as well as more specialised attractions like the Avalon Stage, nightclub-like Salon Carousel, The Hive Stage, Outside Circus Stage, and the San Remo Stage. At the Pyramid Stage, John Luke Roles used 30 of the Color Strike M motorised strobe/blinders, supplied by Solotech, UK Group, in his floor package for Lizzo’s performance. A collection of 14 Color Strike Ms lined the base of the central stage riser, which had a sliding backdrop that the Detroit singer exited the stage through, while 16 other units lined stage left and r
UK - Robe moving lights were in action across multiple stages at the 2023 Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, including in three key ‘creative’ areas of the massive site at Worthy Farm. These were the spectacular fire-breathing Arcadia Spider 360-degree arena, the eclectic Park Stage, one of the most popular Glasto zones, and the BBC Introducing stage. Theresa Gibson, head of marketing at Robe UK comments: “The magic of Glastonbury Festival never fails to disappoint, and this year was no different. “Fields of back-to-back live music, dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and contemporary art forms filled the sunny skies of Worthy Farm for miles on end. As one of the biggest events in the global festival calendar, we were excited once again to have a series of our latest fixtures deployed on key stages across the site, including Robe
India - Ayrton has announced the appointment of Vardhaman Megatech (VMT) as its new, exclusive distributor for India. The appointment takes place with immediate effect. VMT is a professional audio and lighting distribution company with a family history that spans six generations from its formation in 1807. VMT’s thriving professional audio and lighting business was first introduced in 1958 and operates through a retail division (VMT Retail) of 13 nationwide stores/offices, an enterprise division (VMT Enterprise) specialising in serving corporate clients and institutions, and a distribution division (VMT Distribution) that represents some of the world’s leading brands in professional audio and lighting. “We are thrilled and honoured to be Ayrton distributors,” says VMT’s country head for distribution sales, Kekul Sheth. “Ayrton's reputation for innovation, q
Mexico - PRO3 was started as an innovative lighting and visual design studio full of fresh ideas and approaches sparked by the imaginative synergy between three partners and lighting enthusiasts based in Mexico City. The company is still growing and is now also a significant lighting rental equipment supplier for the numerous shows, tours and events in which they are creatively involved. PRO3 first invested in Robe moving light products around seven years ago, starting with Pointes, then expanding to MegaPointes and Spiiders. Their most recent purchases are 50 Fortes, 30 of which have been delivered by Mexican distributor ShowCo, with 20 more on their way. ‘Chicho’ as he’s universally known throughout the industry (‘real’ name Osvaldo Giuliano) comments: “As soon as the industry restarted after the pandemic, Forte fixtures started being frequently requested
South Africa - Ross Learmonth, well known as frontman of popular South African rock band Prime Circle, recently delighted fans with his Wild Summer solo tour, his first as a solo artist, complete with a new solo album, Carousel. Both tour and album campaigns have been a great success and were assisted by Astera Titan Tube wireless LED lighting products. When all the planning for the tour started to fall into place, Ross knew he would be playing a mix of own headliner shows and festival slots, so he wanted a specials package that could be used for both scenarios that would make his set unique and stand out. The conversation started with his producer, Denholm Harding, referencing the new songs and how to communicate these to the world, creating a show to match the feeling of the music and lyrics and how to find an aesthetic that was crafted especially for this project. I
USA - SGM Light has announced that Nicolas Champion has joined the company as managing director of North America. With over 25 years of experience in both architectural and entertainment lighting, Nicolas is a trusted and well-known lighting professional. As managing director, Nicolas will work closely with North American key accounts and distribution partners as well as the SGM Light sales and customer support teams to develop and coordinate business in both rental and fixed installation markets. Nicolas has a strong background through progressive roles in lighting and sales management, most recently as the vice president of sales for Altman Lighting. Nicolas also has prior experience as regional sales manager for Strand Lighting. Both roles included a respected track record of business development as well as project and sales support. Champion comments: “I
UK - The triumphs of Wrexham Town FC and the kudos of Hollywood glamour bestowed upon them by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are well known. That Kings of Leon should bring some added grandeur to the end of the season celebrations with two nights playing to sell-out crowds of 20k+ was however, a case of opportunism. “In terms of a stadium that’s never hosted a big rock show before, it was comfortable,” said production manager, Bill Leabody. “Going forward, staging shows there in the future will not be impossible, but a lot more difficult than what we experienced. “We were lucky, the main stand had been demolished at the end of season to make way for a new bigger one. What we got was a large open area to build an outdoor stage. The local authority worked really hard and are to be congratulated. That, and the huge efforts of SJM (Promoters) to get the
Australia - Prolights, through Show Technology design team, illuminated SeaWorld theme park's latest attraction: the Leviathan roller coaster. This thrilling ride is the centrepiece of the New Atlantis-themed area, an “impressive tower of timber taking guests on a thundering quest where they reach speeds of up to 80 km/h, experiencing exhilarating turns, crossovers, drops and dips” as stated by the park. However, Leviathan is not only garnering praise for the actual rollercoaster ride itself but also for the immersive experience that envelops those queuing for a ride in the underwater utopia. Audiovisual installation specialists Run By Media spent two years planning the AV integration, over a year on-site building and countless long hours working closely with their design team Show Technology's Clint Dulieu and lighting designer Toby Sewell to bring this next-level proje
UK - The Royal College of Music (RCM) in London was ranked the leading global institution for performing arts in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject and has prepared performers, conductors and composers for international careers for over 140 years. Since 1901, the College’s many musical groups have performed in Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, a space that in 2009 received an extensive refurbishment that brought the listed building up to modern concert hall standards. More recently, a sustainable LED lighting rig of 48 Elation Fuze Pendant luminaires has been installed in the Concert Hall. The Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall is the RCM’s most versatile space, accommodating up to 370 audience members and up to 120 performers on stage. Primarily used for performances by the College’s orchestras, jazz bands and RCM International Opera School, the perform
UK - 3LR Lighting has announced the addition of Germany-based film and television lighting brand Sumolight to its portfolio of lighting brands. Designed and built at its headquarters in Berlin, Sumolight’s range of robust, high-output LED and laser-sourced luminaires are virtual production-ready - available to integrate with the latest techniques in film and television content creation. Its broad range of products have seen use on many recent high-profile productions, including Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Midnight Sky, House of the Dragon, The Matrix Resurrections and many more. Interest from other sectors is steadily on the rise. Simon Evans, CEO of Sumolight UK, says: “As we see the UK film market sector grow, along with multiple other uses of our products, expansion is a natural step for the UK business. But with so many enquiries from
South Africa - KKNK (Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees) is a festival to which families travel from all over the country to enjoy the music, drama, works of art and food and a place where the crew work hard and ‘kuier lekker’ (socialise). While part of the magic is the spectacular setting - the blue-skied town of Oudtshoorn located in the Klein Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains - a drawing card is the camaraderie amongst the technical team who work under the helm of Pieter Jan-Kapp. The festival is also a welcome injection to the economy of Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world and home to the Cango Caves. This year’s festival took place at the start of April with Blond Productions once again appointed as the main technical supplier for most of the theatre venues, Multi-Media taking care of the main theatre (The Burgersentrum), and Nation
Liechtenstein - The Neutrik Group has introduced a range of products, from its Contrik brand of portable power distribution systems, especially designed for deployment in harsh all-weather application environments. The range of Xtreme Outdoor (XO) / Active designated products includes Power Container, Power Rack and Power Turtle systems. Designed and precision manufactured, using high quality electrical and electronic components, in the EU, they are intended for mobile entertainment production applications, including video walls, stage lighting and audio installations. The XO designation denotes the extensive environmental protection features, additional to Contrik’s usual certification standards, guaranteeing high levels of mechanical (IK) and environmental (IP) protection. These include enhanced protective housings and self-closing caps. Protection up to the IP65
France - The Séries Mania Festival in Lille created a global buzz a few years ago when it hosted the world premiere of the Netflix series The Rain. None of the 32 premieres showcased at the four-day festival this year had rain in their titles, but there was plenty of precipitation outside. The inclement weather did nothing, however, to dampen the excitement at an event that Variety magazine has hailed as ‘Europe’s Premier TV Festival’. Nor did it interfere with the bright and colourful lighting that enhanced the upbeat mood at the gala and conference, which drew TV executives from 64 different countries. Valentin Lemarquier and Freddy Ledieu, who lit the Tapis Mauve (mauve carpet) area in front of the Nouveau Siècle auditorium, where the official ceremonies and screenings took place, credits an all-weather lighting kit supplied by Public Address/S
Jordan - HoverUp, the first Drone Show Company in Jordan, in partnership with SPH Engineering, entertained audiences with drone displays during the Jordan's Royal Wedding and Independence Day celebration. Utilising a fleet of 400 drones, HoverUp set the record for the highest number of drone light shows conducted per day, captivating audiences with 2-3 shows each day. The Abdali Drone Show, held in celebration of Jordan's Royal Wedding and Independence Day, showcased a display of synchronised movements and intricate formations. Expert drone pilots choreographed the performances using the advanced Drone Show Technology from SPH Engineering. One of the show's standout moments was a mid-air formation representing Jordan's 77th Independence Day, the Royal Crown, Flag of Jordan, and the initials of the Crown Prince and Princess Rajwa. "The Abdali Drone Show surpasse
Greece - ETC’s automated luminaires and entertainment fixtures have been selected by rental company Papadimas AVL S.M.P.C for TV shows The Voice and Just the 2 of Us, as well as a recent production of the hit musical Phantom of the Opera in Athens, and Thessaloniki. Almost 200 High End Systems moving lights feature across the productions, including Lonestar, SolaPix, SolaFrame and SolaSpot automated luminaires. ETC’s affordable Lonestar fixtures took their Greek TV debut on talent show Just the 2 of Us, bringing their professional feature set, and quality output all wrapped up in a small package. They joined over a hundred other High End Systems moving lights as well as 50 Source Four LED Series 3 Daylight HDR profiles, all controlled by a mix of Hog 4 and Eos consoles. Series 3 continues to wow on-camera around the world, with its pat
Spain - Maxi Gilbert says that he draws inspiration for his designs from opera sets. At first that may seem a bit surprising, since the Madrid-based designer has created lightshows for stars like multi-Grammy winner Alejandro Sanz, and chart-topping Manuel Carrasco. But anyone who sees his work on Carrasco’s current Corazón y Flecha tour will readily appreciate the connection. Like opera itself, Gilbert’s design for the 30-city Spanish tour is bold, ambitious, and full of life. With its massive centre stage video wall and giant inflatable heart pierced by an arrow (16m wide for most of the tour), and 272 custom-made neon flex lights, the design, which was done with visual director Susana Martinez Allende, creates an immediate, and dramatic impression. This sensation is accentuated by the light from 282 other lighting fixtures, projecting a vivid array of colours,
USA - The live finals of American Idol 2023 moved to a new venue - Red Studios Hollywood - giving lighting designer Tom Sutherland of DX7 design and production designer Florian Wieder the chance to create a fresh and new look in this special space, which has embraced history and innovation in film and TV production since the early 20th century. Tom included plenty of Robe moving lights on his lighting plot, including 137 MegaPointes, about which he states, “I would not do a show without MegaPointes.” These were joined by 104 Robe Tetra2 moving LED battens. He also used 49 Spiider LED wash beams, together with BMFL Blade Follow Spots. The new set was one starting point for his lighting design concept. Elegant and modern, the performance area was a distinctive diamond shape, and the overall set incorporated a host of LED sources: screens, panelling, an
USA - LEDtronics has announced its latest series of compact and lightweight LED floodlights. High efficacy, multiple-angle mounting options, and sleek design make these light fixtures an ideal and easy installation in various applications, says the company. The area and spot luminaires come with an adjustable U-bracket that offers a multitude of choices for angle of inclination for outdoor area lighting needs that require adjustable-angle uniform illumination, such as architectural wall washing and accents, walkways, pathways, garden or landscape lighting, amusement parks, recreation areas, illuminated signs, and emergency exit way lighting, among many others. The LEDtronics GDL002 series flood lights are offered in a choice of two input voltages: 24VDC with 12 watts and 5000K pure white emitted colour, and a wide 100~277VAC range with either 8W/4000K natural white com
USA - City Theatrical has launched its newest addition to the QolorFLEX brand of professional LED tape, dimming control and accessories with QolorFLEX 25x3A Dimmer, which is a low voltage, constant voltage, dimmer that is designed for large installations of LED tape. The QolorFLEX 25x3A Dimmer is the five-channel version of City Theatrical’s QolorFLEX 24x3A Dimmer for users who seek high-capacity dimmers to use for installations of 5-in-1 LED tapes, including QolorFLEX 5-in-1 LED Tape, HiQ High CRI for film and video, rather than LED tapes with four or fewer channels. The QolorFLEX 25x3A Dimmer features 25 channels of control and can accommodate five-channel LED tapes easily, creating efficiencies when it comes to installation time and wiring. The QolorFLEX 25x3A Dimmer is fully DMX and RDM compatible and offers standalone functions. The QolorFLEX 25x3A Dimme
Europe - Metallica launched their M72 World Tour on 27 April in Amsterdam with Rob Koenig again at the helm as lighting designer, an outing that has the thrash rockers playing a two-night, no-repeat schedule in cities across Europe and North America. Koenig crafts customised lighting looks using 600+ automated lights, a rig that includes Proteus Excalibur sky beams from Elation Professional. Lighting supply is by Premier Global Production. Koenig has been part of the Metallica family since 2008. He started as lighting director under John Broderick, eventually moved into the lighting designer role and is now on his fourth record cycle with the band. Metallica is touring in support of its eleventh studio album, 72 Seasons, which released in April. The number 72, which refers to the number of seasons in a person’s formative first 18 years of life, is a th
Egypt - Robe has appointed a new Egyptian distributor - Impact Egypte Solutions - which is headed by Jean William, a prolific lighting and show designer in his own right. The company is based in Cairo and is one of the longer established entertainment technology enterprises in the country. Jean founded Impact Egypte 33 years ago initially as a rental and a sales business. Sales were then halted for a while as they focussed on installation projects and rentals, but recently sales have restarted to capitalise on a strong and developing market with a demand for quality equipment. Impact Egypte Solutions also engages in a wide selection of lighting, visual and multimedia projects taking on multiple aspects including show design, installation, and operation, keeping its 40 or so full-time staff busy. Jean has always had an eye for Robe products and has wanted to work
