Built on the slightly extended footprint of its predecessor, the initial scheme for the new Wexford Opera House was developed by architects and building service engineers from the Office of Public Works (OPW), acoustic consultant Arup Acoustics and theatre consultant Carr & Angier. In 2005, the design team was completed through competitive tendering, with the appointment of Arup Consulting Engineers, Nolan Ryan QS and Keith Williams Architects.
Colin Cuthbert, Northern Light's managing director, said: "I was delighted that Northern Light was selected for the technical installation in this 33m (£25.6m) new build venue. Professionally, the project demonstrates the team's expertise and abilities extremely well. In fact, as a direct result of working on Wexford Opera House, two members of our team have achieved promotion."
Northern Light installed over 230 ETC Source Four luminaires together with Robert Juliat 1.2k and 2K PCs, as well as an ETC Eos and two ETC Ion control desks. Some 500 ways of Sensor dimming in the main auditorium, plus another 100 in the smaller performance space, control the lights via a DMX and Ethernet network, integrated into which is an ETC Unison house lighting control system.
Programmer Eion McNinch says: "Both control desks are ergonomically well laid out. On the Eos the angled touch screen means you don't have to lean over the desk while programming - which, given that I can sit in front of one for days during rehearsals, means I'm not all hunched up at the end of each day! I really like the intuitive and well thought out patch screens and accessing soft buttons is a cinch. The sneak button is brilliant and having a dedicated Home button for attributes is a really nice touch."
Northern Light has also provided the venue with a sophisticated yet discrete PA system, which in the 781 seat main opera space comprises Renkus Heinz Iconyx, steerable line array, mixed by a 24 channel Allen and Heath GL series. In the smaller 176 seat studio theatre, PA is based around JBL Eon10 G2 portable active units which can be positioned as required. House mixer is a 16 channel Soundcraft GB.
For more on the Wexford Opera House, see the October issue of Lighting&Sound magazine - out now.(Jim Evans)
