David Harvey, a lighting manager at the ROH commented: "When we started specifying automated equipment for the House during the refurbishment, we knew that we would need a unit offering shuttering facilities in our overhead rig. At the time nothing was really available, however, lighting designers had increasingly been demanding this facility. Thanks to White Light Sales, we were able to take a look at the latest products to reach the market, comparing and contrasting them side-by-side and hands-on. After examining all of the options, we selected the Vari-Lite VL1000AS units for their great beam quality and low noise, and the MAC 2000s for their shuttering and linear animation effect, which compliments the variety of effects available from our permanent rig. Both types of unit add to the HMI-quality of light available from overhead, something that many lighting designers call for. For the MAC 2000s, White Light Sales suggested a new whiter lamp from Philips, which better matches the output of our HMI light sources."
At the same time, the ROHs lighting team expanded their conventional lighting rig, purchasing 20 Robert Juliat 2kW fresnels for their Linbury Studio Theatre and 10 LDD Spectra Connect three-colour fluorescent fixtures for use as discrete, versatile footlights. "The LDD units are ideal for this," Harvey explains, "as you don't have to leave a gap between units, allowing unbroken, continuous runs of light to be formed."
The new sales continue the White Light Group's ongoing involvement with the Royal Opera House, with The Moving Light Company and The Service Company, supplying service and support for the ROH's automated lighting, lighting desk, dimmers and lighting network system.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
