Lighting designers impressed by GLP X5
- Details
Both have been supplied by Sparks Theatrical Hire, while a third designer, Paul Pyant, has also requisitioned the X5 for Noises Off at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, which is currently in production.
Paule Constable had been keen to work with the impression X5 again after debuting it on The Devil Wears Prada and Guys and Dolls at The Bridge Theatre gave her the perfect opportunity. “I first looked to the impression X4 and then the X5 to replace the big soft keylight that I’ve always used 5kW units to give me. I think it’s amazing that an LED unit can provide that same diffuse, soft directional push - but I also love the beam control and quality when it is spotted down.
“So the impression X5 not only replaced something in my old tungsten head but at the same time gave me a new thing to work with - and I love that it provided these new and exciting options. Ultimately the unit is sophisticated and the quality unsurpassed.”
She adds that in Guys and Dolls, they were so pushed for space that every unit needed to earn its keep. “The flexibility of the unit made it an obvious choice. In the round immersive space they held the space superbly and worked very hard.”
Finally, as to the support she received, Constable said: “Sparks have an excellent relationship with the Bridge and were really open to my thoughts about the show. As for GLP they have always been super supportive - they really listen to us as designers which I love. I feel very respected and supported by GLP as a company.”
Tim Lutkin specified 10 of the impression X5s for use on The Crucible at the Gielgud Theatre after being recommended by his associate, Max Narula. “He had used them before and was singing their praises,” reports Lutkin. “So as he would be lighting the show once I’d left for the US I was happy to adopt them. And once we had them up in the rig at the Gielgud I could see they were absolutely fantastic… the quality of the colour mixing was just like tungsten; the spill ring accessory is fantastic and you feel you are back to a Fresnel type theatre lighting unit. I can see why this is appealing to theatre lighting design purists.”
Commenting on other attributes, he said: “It’s the first time [a wash] has delivered anything like this and it’s just not like having an LED fixture anymore! The RGBW mixing in other units never quite gives me the look I’m after, but with the impression X5 you completely get that."
