The first 10 fixtures (each combining 120 RGB LED's) were supplied to Lite Alternative by GLP dealers, AC Entertainment Technology. And with LD Matt Arthur inheriting the pre-existing American stage set (which included the original GLP Impressions on the technical rider) he took the opportunity to upgrade to the automated optical zoom function, with 10° - 26° light distribution angle, principally to accent the set design's unusual eyeball feature with minimum spillage of light.
Each show featured six Impression Zooms, suspended from the mid truss for maximum stage versatility, with a further two used selectively as ground effects.
Jon Greaves, hire director of the Lancashire-based rental company, said that GLP's Mark Ravenhill had been instrumental in them making the investment decision. "We respect Mark a lot and his arrival at GLP helped raise our awareness of the product."
Ravenhill offered Jon's partner, lighting designer Paul Normandale, the opportunity to evaluate the range at an arts event with Antony & The Johnsons at the Manchester Opera House.
"This gave us a chance to get hands-on with the products for a week," said Jon Greaves. "We liked the Impressions but we liked the Impression Zooms more. And since there were standard Impressions already on the Yeah Yeah Yeah's technical rider we saw the opportunity to supersize it."
He acknowledges that the fixture takes the use and application of LED to another level. "We were delighted to have the first batch of ten into the UK and to find that we can fit five units into each of our Lite Alt custom flight cases."
(Jim Evans)
