Norwich Arts Centre upgrades with Chauvet
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In a bid to safeguard its reputation as 'Britain's Best Small Venue' (as awarded by the NME back in 2014), the venue recently commissioned Old Barn Audio to upgrade its outdated lighting rig as part of a venue-wide modernisation. Providing the cornerstone to Old Barn Audio’s solution was a roster of LED fixtures from Chauvet Professional that included eight Rogue R1X Spot, eight Rogue R2 Wash, 12 Ovation E-160WW Spot and 15 COLORdash Accent Quad fixtures.
In order to ensure a multifaceted solution for general stage looks and effects, Chris Packham of Old Barn Audio specified the combination of Rogue R1X Spot and Rogue R2 Wash fixtures, positioning them in parallel lines above and to the sides of the stage. In combining the R1X Spot’s gobo effects with the saturated colours of R2 Wash, Packham was able to equip the venue with a toolbox of looks to cover a wide spectrum of purposes, from indie gigs to plays and poetry nights.
“The optics and gobo effects of the R1X Spots are perfect for the venue, and definitely give a much larger and exciting feel to the overall stage area,” said Packham. “The R2 Wash fixtures, on the other hand, were specified for their excellent zoom function and deep, saturated colours. This makes them great as a theatrical wash, but also as effect lights for live music.”
Playing a supporting role within Packham’s stage set up are the Ovation Fresnel fixtures, which have been positioned at FOH to mimic a more traditional theatrical set up. Split over two trussing elements above FOH, the arrangements of fixtures work in unison to create a flat and even field of illumination while ensuring flawless colour rendering and clarity of output to illuminate the subjects on stage.
“The Ovations will be used mostly for theatrical purposes, but are versatile enough to provide front lighting for live musical acts and other events,” commented Packham. “The profiles are currently rigged to be used as general spot and front illumination, however with the optional 15/30 zoom lens they are also able to be used as wash if required.”
Complementing the stage set up with general atmospheric lighting are the COLORdash fixtures, which Packham positioned from the venue’s roof trussing system. “The COLORdash fixtures allow the newly exposed roof and arches to be illuminated in a beautiful cornucopia of colour,” concluded Packham. “The result is a brilliant lighting effect, which serves as a contrast between the 19th century church architecture and the modern technology now installed within the venue.”
(Jim Evans)
