Wim has lit the Christmas Circus for the last 20 years, and has also been engaged in circus-specific training over the years which has enabled him to perfect the specialist techniques required to light horses - 37 featured in this year's show - aerialists, acrobats and other circus performers.
There are several challenges working in the neo-Renaissance styled Carré Theatre which include its high banking bleacher seating on all four sides. Founded in 1887 by Oscar Carré of the famous German travelling circus, it has had a colourful history. Originally built as a circus venue, it now hosts an eclectic variety of entertainment.
Being staged in the round, most of the lighting positions have to be from above, and as in past years, a 15m diameter circular truss was installed approximately 15m above the ring, and a 5m diameter one at 17m, the roof's highest point.
Wim selected 19 x Robe BMFL WashBeams, seven DL4S LED Profiles and 32 x Pointes to be the main moving lights this year and he is delighted with the results.
"After the premiere I received numerous comments personally from my colleagues on the creative team, artists and the public, and the social media channels were buzzing with positive comments! People were saying how much brighter and crisper everything looked and how rich and lush the colours were! Everyone was extremely happy."
The 58 Robe moving lights were the primary fixtures on a rig of over 400 units including lots of generics and LED sources as well as four follow-spots. They did a massive amount of the visual work and were constantly contributing throughout the show. Apart from colouring and washing the performance space, there was intricate gobo work onto the floor and pros arch to complement the acts, while the BMFL WashBeams and DL4S Profiles were used for numerous specials, key lighting and pin-pointing.
On the higher (and smaller) circle were six of the BMFL WashBeams and five Pointes and on the lower (larger) circle were 20 x Pointes and 10 x BMFL WashBeams.
Rigged onto the pros arch were the other three BLFM WashBeams just above the raised orchestra box, which was at approximately the same height as the second tier of seating.
The DL4S Profiles were deployed around the upper circle balcony together with seven Pointes in similar positions.
Lighting equipment was supplied by rental company Hilversum based Smits Light & Sound who won the contract as technical supplier for the World Christmas Circus for the next three years. Owner Jeroen Smits boosted their Robe stock for the occasion, so Wim could have the rig he needed.
The load-in commenced a week ahead of the premiere and the lights were programmed on the venue's house desk which was operated for the three-week performance run by Mike Evers. The programming process was intense and took place over five days, starting with the horse acts.
(Jim Evans)
