The West End arrivals cover a wide range of styles: at the Arts Theatre is a new comedy from America, Triple Espresso, whilst at the Whitehall Theatre, the musical fun of Sing-along-a-ABBA has replaced the long-running Art, which used White Light equipment throughout its run. At the Old Vic, White Light is supplying the rig for Hartley TA Kemp's design for The Tempest - as with its initial run in Sheffield, the show is using automated lighting from The Moving Light Company.
Also combining conventional equipment from White Light and automated equipment from The Moving Light Company are Midnight's Children, the new RSC adaptation of the novel by Salman Rushdie at the Barbican Theatre lit by Bruno Poet, and Auntie & Me, a comedy starring Alan Davies at the Wyndhams. Auntie & Me is lit by one of White Light's original founders, Andy Phillips, who is combining conventional lighting with discharge lamps fitted with LichtTechnik dimmer shutters and Martin Mac2000s.
The touring circuit sees in the New Year with the return of the long-running Blood Brothers, lit by Nick Richings, as well as The Roy Orbison Story and Calamity Jane. These join ongoing tours including the recently revamped Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Buddy, The Rocky Horror Show (in its original production, White Light's first ever show!) and Miss Saigon.
(Ruth Rossington)
