Lighting designer Torkel Skjerven and his assistants Andreas Glad and Stefan Dombeck created a sophisticated show. "The lighting equipment was provided locally by High Lights Egypt while AVAB/CAC provided the grandMA control system," reports Skjerven, "We ran a network of grandMA full-size together with grandMA light as well as multiple grandMA onPC laptops. When dealing with multiple types of fixtures, grandMA gives a great overview of groups, presets as well as colour mixing. Its use of colour coding and different views makes it easy for tracking both moving and conventional lights. It was also invaluable for us to run more than one console at the same time because of a short rehearsal time during the night as well as live editing for TV production. Since we could only work at the venue during night it was efficient for us to edit, do notes and clean up cues off site during the daytime."
Peer Gynt was performed in their native tongue by Norwegian main actors and singers to Edward Grieg's music played by Cairo Symphony Orchestra along with ballet dancers from the Cairo Opera House. The dialogue was subtitled in Arabic and English on large screens. Throughout the year, a wide range of events was arranged both in Norway and abroad, which highlighted the importance of Ibsen's legacy and provided opportunities for fresh interpretations of his work.
(Chris Henry)
