The initial phase of installed technical infrastructure at the venue involved the design and specification of a JBL VerTec line array audio system, ready for the grand opening last year. A year down the line, it was the turn of lighting to take centre stage.
In the interim period, explains Villa Marina's chief lighting technician Alex Davidson, they utilized a hired lighting rig. This gave them the ideal opportunity to research the best fixtures available on the market, and the ones most suited to their needs.
Villa Marina's technical manager Seamus Shea initially saw Robe fixtures at the PLASA 2003 exhibition. The deal to supply the lighting rig was then cut between Villa Marina's Steve Dawson and Robe UK, and Davidson was asked to specify their exact requirements.
"I needed the most dynamic fixtures available" says Davidson, "To cater for the massive variety of acts we get over here. It's anything from a piano soloist to a 150 piece orchestra, from stand up comics to rock bands to singing competitions - plus all the major high profile touring stars." Villa Marina's schedule features major gigs at least twice a month and other events and performances every day.
Davidson is confident in his decision "They are fantastic" he continues, "The light output is phenomenal - easily brighter than its competitor products - the gobo selection is great, and the fixtures are so quick and easy to control."
Robe UK also arranged - at very short notice - to get the fourteen 575 XTs that are hung off the auditorium trusses painted silver to blend in with the finish of the conventional fixtures and the building's splendid décor.
When it came to choosing a lighting desk, explains Davidson, "Avo was an obvious choice. We wanted industry standard kit that would be familiar and acceptable to a wealth of visiting LDs, plus a flexible and powerful lighting control console to run shows ourselves". The Pearl - Avo's most popular live music console - fitted all their requirements - and the budget!
The new lighting rig at Villa Marina is substantial, and the result of extensive research after a year of using a hired rig. The moving light element consists of over 40 Robe fixtures, supplied direct from Robe UK - seven Robe Scan 1200 XTs, 24 ColorSpot 575 XTs and six ColorSpot 250 XTs, all rigged in various over-stage. floor and front-of-house positions.
In addition to these, there are four Studio Due CS2s and over 80 PARs, eight of them with ChromaQ scrollers and used as an upstage light wall effect. Then there are two 8-lite Moles with scrollers, eight Source Four 750s and eight Source Four Juniors - all controlled by the Pearl 2004.
The desk also runs fog and haze machines and a fibre optic star-cloth, fed by two Martin QFX 150 fibre sources, occupying 10 desk channels for intensity, colour and twinkle effects. The lighting is arranged on over-stage trusses and across four auditorium trusses.
O'Shea says: "The whole idea was to have excellent quality equipment that everyone likes and respects." So far that philosophy has paid off - no-one has wanted to bring their own kit - and they have had plenty of positive feedback about the in-house facilities.
Recent shows have included Katie Melua (LD Chris Lambourne) and up-comings include Super Furry Animals, The Coral, Dionne Warwick, Don MacLean and many others, illustrating the breadth of artists appearing at the venue.
The Pearl 2004 features two dual-speed encoder knobs - custom designed an
