An extensive - and exclusive - backstage tour ahead of the evening's entertainment for the star-studded guest list included a close up look at scene docks, design studios, rehearsal spaces and workshops, all the areas vital to the smooth running of a successful and highly acclaimed production operation.
The behind-the-scenes areas are all specially lit for the occasion, and for the first year, south London based rental specialist White Light won the contract to supply all the lighting equipment for the event, working with several different lighting designers.
Richard Saunders project managed for White Light, overseeing installation of all the additional lighting equipment including the CORE elements. They particularly wanted to use as much LED as possible
It was the National's deputy lighting resource manager Huw Llewellyn who designed the backstage lighting scheme and initially suggested using Core's new PinPoints in the scene dock.
A wireless pin-spot / birdie weighing just 700 grams with a single LED lightsource that outputs a punchy 300+ lumens, the 12 x PinPoints were specifically used to illuminate the reception desk and the pop-up bar, where guests checked in on arrival.
Their magnetic bases and miniscule size meant that the PinPoints could be easily and safely attached to the AC ducts, a hassle-fee solution that ensured these otherwise awkward-to-light areas could be illuminated in exactly the right places, allowing the reception and bar staff to do their jobs efficiently.
Richard has worked at the National in the past and his intimate knowledge of the buildings proved useful for this project as did the use of Core technology which Richard says was "Absolutely invaluable".
Core's ColourPoint Mk IIs - lightweight lithium battery powered LED event up-lighters with full wireless DMX control which look great anywhere - were used to illuminate some staircases along the path of the tour, and the walls in the new Max Rayne Centre production building as the tour proceeded through there to its final destination, the Olivier Theatre where the gala event itself was staged.
The Olivier was set up 'in reverse', with tables and chairs on the stage and an entertainment stage in what would normally be the auditorium.
A host of A-list celebrities enjoyed a live show featuring acts from some of the National's major and memorable productions over the last 2 / 3 years along with a performance by musician and Blur frontman, Damion Albarn. The evening culminated in a silent auction.
White Light also supplied all the additional lighting in the Olivier which was designed by James Farncombe.
(Jim Evans)
