The Brindley's success can in large measure be attributed to the innovative, forward-thinking ethos of its team. In 2014, in keeping with its dynamic approach, its management team took the decision to address a number of technical issues at the theatre that required attention. At the top of its agenda was the theatre's tired and increasingly unreliable house lighting system. A few years before, to its great satisfaction, the theatre had replaced its backstage blues lights with GDS BluesSystem and following a meeting at The PLASA Show, invited GDS to design a house lighting system that would resolve all its issues. Northern Stage Services (now National Stage Technology) tendered for the work and won the contract.
ABTT Lighting Product of the Year 2014, GDS's ArcSystem, was placed at the heart of the scheme. In the main auditorium the existing floods were replaced by 11 x ArcSystem Pro Fixture 4 Cell Square 3000K 37 Degree Black Yoke and four ArcSystem Pro Fixture 2 Cell 3000K 60 Degree Black Yoke fittings. So effective were these deemed to be, that The Brindley invested in a further three of the 4 Cell fixtures as rehearsal lights above the stage.
Eighteen ArcSystem Decor Fixture MR16s replaced the existing fixtures in the rear stalls and side boxes. The failing fluorescent strips on the sidewalls were removed and replaced by GDS LED strip. The whole system was wireless, controlled by GDS's ArcMesh Protocol and met every aspect of the brief and more besides.
Energy consumption was dramatically reduced and further significant reductions in costs stemmed directly from the maintenance-free nature of the fixtures. Most importantly, the 'feel' of The Brindley was not compromised in any way. The theatre's management professed themselves delighted with the fact that the venue had retained its original warmth
A spokesperson for Halton Borough Council expressed real satisfaction, "Put simply, the houselights in the auditorium had had their day and we needed to significantly improve things. As a council, we are fully committed to a policy of environmental sustainability and green technologies play a key part in that. ArcSystem met all the criteria laid down in the brief and comfortably exceeded expectations. The Brindley has retained its character and the projected cost savings are very welcome. The job was expertly completed, on time and without impacting on our programme. We're very happy indeed."
Matt Lloyd, managing director of GDS was keen to highlight the fact that the scope for ArcSystem should not be seen as in some way limited to large scale projects. "In recent years GDS ArcSystem has gone from strength to strength across the globe. Installations at a host of prestigious venues demonstrate the high regard in which it is held in the industry. Tempting though it is to always focus on a Wembley Arena or a National Theatre, the installation at The Brindley is a timely reminder that this technology is by no means the exclusive preserve of the metropolitan giants."
(Jim Evans)
