Robe on tour with Nutcracker in Italy
- Details
This production – which had been originally staged by the company AterBalletto in the 1980s and 1990s – was again choreographed by Amedeo Amodio (then AterBalletto’s director) and featured eye-catching set designs by Oscar-nominated Italian designer, painter, animator and illustrator, Emanuele Luzzati.
It was also acclaimed for its highly imaginative shadow work which featured prominently in this show. This was devised for the original production by the artists of the Teatro Gioco Vita.
“Nothing has essentially changed over the 30 years in the approach to lighting this piece, apart from the types of lights available,” says Marco, who chose the 12 x Robe Spiiders, 14 x DL4S Profiles, together with two Robe Haze 400 foggers and other fixtures.
“The big lighting challenges were to create specific and detailed scenes for when the stage was full of artists, and preserving the impact of the emotive and compelling shadow work whilst giving it a new and contemporary twist 30 years on.”
Four Spiiders were positioned in the centre of three over-stage trusses. The DL4S Profiles were rigged on the left and right ends of these same trusses.
Marco used the Spiiders for some detailed work as well as to provide a subtle front wash that didn’t really look like a front wash!
”Thanks to their large zoom range, they can easily be shifted from Wash to Beam mode, and during the show I also used the Flower effect, all the time trying not to be too invasive because it is a classic ballet and there are certain lines that you just don’t cross when lighting such a performance.
“The DL4S Profiles provided some nice contrasting light and gobo looks and were also utilized for specials. The precision of the shutters and the beam shaper really helped to tighten and fine-tune the look and quality of the light.”
(Jim Evans)
