The idea was first suggested by the RFH’s head of production, Nigel March, in February. Knowing the event was approaching, he decided that it was time to take advantage of the building’s massive white marble facades by lighting it in a visually stimulating style.
"It was an unmissable opportunity," says March who worked hard to get the project approved, realised and within budget, collaborating closely with his associate and production LX Barry Waterman and team of South Bank technicians. The outdoor lighting was sponsored by Accenture (formally known as Andersen Consulting), and March’s concept involved the production of a ‘liquid’ colour fade that rotated slowly and seamlessly around the building throughout the night.
He chose 30 Studio Due City Colors as the primary colour-changing fixtures for the job. This was the first time he’s used them, but he was highly impressed with their power and punch, as well as the even beam diffusion and absence of hot spots. Being IP54-rated, they needed no additional weather protection either.
March also utilised 12 Martin MAC 600 Exteriors which he employed as specials to spot the pillars on the riverside balcony, whilst both RFH and sponsors’ gobos were projected onto the front of the building by three MAC 2000s. The latter were covered by customised weather-proof domes.
The lightshow was controlled by an Avolites Azure 2000 console located in the RFH’s central control room - one of eight Avolites consoles owned by the RFH. The RFH’s copper roof prevented the use of radio DMX, so nearly two miles of DMX cabling was utilised in the exterior installation. The lighting fixtures were rigged on temporary trussing structures erected around the building at ground floor level, but with the units themselves rigged approximately 9ft off the deck to prevent passers-by from walking in front and causing havoc with the beam projections! The spaces that surround the Hall on all four sides remained open to the public, so much attention was paid to being neat and tidy and, naturally, to health and safety issues. The lighting fixtures were all supplied by Essential Lighting to the RFH.
Vertigo Rigging - preferred riggers at the South Bank Centre - undertook all the exterior rigging in addition to constructing a grid ‘network’ of Thomas 12" trussing in the roof of the RFH Ballroom to enable easy access for lighting the Gala Dinner. This took place on May 3rd 2001 - 50 years to the day since the Royal Festival Hall was declared open as the centrepiece to the Festival of Britain.
The Ballroom was transformed for the occasion into a 450 seat five-course silver service venue, which March’s team, led by Brian Hunt, also lit using a combination of Martin MiniMACs and ETC PARnels.
Various white gauzes were rigged around the ballroom, bathed in moody Congo Blue and skimmed with white RFH logos - traditional but effective. Lighting in the ballroom was controlled by an Avolites Diamond 3 and another Azure console. The event was recorded by the BBC and used as part of a special programme about the RFH’s first 50 years.
The 50th anniversary architectural lightshow added a whole new dimension and depth to this incredible building. It has hosted many breathtaking performances, events and artists in its time . . . but for this two weeks, it was finally time for the building itself to take centre stage and become an art installation in its own right.
