The console was purchased by the National Theatre's LX department, headed by Huw Llewellyn who also invested in a second Avolites eDMX wireless DMX system. The Summer Season performance spectacles are diverse. ranging from surreal Barcelonan hairdressing duo, Sienta la Cabeza to performance, drama, music and dancing from all eras and corners of the world.
When it comes to lighting these events, explains Llewellyn, flexibility is paramount. There ís a standard stage position, but performers can change this if they wish and play at either or both ends of the space or in the middle. Whatever and wherever anyone decides to perform, Llewellyn and his team have to be able to light around them.
They also like to involve as much of the surrounding building architecture in the shows as possible, both as a way of getting additional lighting positions as well as to actually light elements of the building. The Lyttelton Theatre's concrete fly tower is regularly used as a projection surface.
A typical show will utilise a variety of fixtures - PARs, Martin Robo Colors, Source Four PARs, MAC 500s moving heads, RoboColor 575 XP scans- from the stage lighting pool, and they also tap into the building's permanent lighting scheme consisting of Studio Due City Colors and Vari*Lite 3000s. These are also run on an Avo eDMX system. Additional lighting is hired in as required.
"Especially on days like Saturdays where we have multiple events happening throughout the day and programming time is either limited or non existent, you end up busking much of the show," says Llewellyn. "This is where the D4 comes into its own. Avo's have always been excellent hands-on desks and this has all the power plus all the flexibility and speed you can possibly need."
(Jim Evans)
