Delivered by Robe's South African distributor DWR, the new Robe moving lights - have replaced all C&S's previous mid range units from another manufacturer.
The first major gig for the new kit is Cool Britannia, a month-long music & football festival staged at Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), celebrating the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
The venue - a concept by Global Icons - provides a space for football fans and music lovers to enjoy the matches live on big screens, followed by performances onstage throughout the day, culminating in a headline act after the last match of the evening. The line up includes Fatboy Slim, Estelle, Flash Republic, Cuba Libre, Flat Stanley, Euphonik and many others, and is attracting crowds up to the 6000 capacity each night.
C&S's new Robe units are the main fixtures lighting the stage inside Cool Britannia's Global Arena. The whole idea started 10 years ago primarily as a party and entertainment space for UK supporters - but has grown to include an international following amongst the travelling football supporter community.
Lighting designer Alan Muller worked with Donald Clark on the design, which firstly entailed the installation of over 300m of trussing in the roof of the CTICC to get the correct lighting positions.
With a wide selection of live artists and DJs appearing over the month representing all types of musical genre and the venue operating up to 18 hours a day, the rig needed to be highly flexible, a requirement made easier using the new Robe's.
The front truss features six ColorWash 700E ATs used for general stage washes, and there are four 'finger' trusses, angled and slightly offstage, each of which has four ColorSpot 700E ATs. There are another four ColorSpots on top of the back truss and six more ColorWash 700E ATs onstage for low level side lighting.
Five Robe LEDForce 18s are also deployed on each finger truss section - used for strong medium level cross stage washing and effects, with another seven used as key lights on the front truss.
(Jim Evans)
