LUTON, U.K. — White Light supplied the new UK Centre for Carnival Arts with lighting gear, both for its installed lighting needs and for its grand-opening launch. Created by the Luton Carnival Arts Development Trust, the Centre was envisioned as “an expression of the living, breathing and evolving spirit of carnival arts,” with a 250-seat performance space as well as instruction and workshop spaces and an experienced support staff.
Inside the venue, White Light has supplied a rig based around fixtures from Selecon, ETC and Thomas, including Acclaim Fresnels and Profile Spots, Source Four Parnels, and Thomas PAR cans. Control is from a new ETC Congo Jr console supplied with a custom flightcase, controlling ETC SmartModule and Zero88 Betapack 3 dimmers. Distribution from dimmers to lights is handled by Rubber Box distro packs.
White Light also handled the supply of the venue’s new sound system, including its mixing console, amplifiers, recorders, loudspeakers and microphones.
White Light also worked with LD Adam Povey’s design for the Centre’s opening ceremony, created by outdoor theatre specialists Walk The Plank. The show lit up the building’s roof and surrounding areas.
Povey’s design required over 260 PAR cans, 12 Atomic strobes, ColorBlast LED washlights, Thomas four-way blinders and over 100 Xenon beacons, which were distributed over the front of the building.
White Light’s on-site team was led by project manager Dominic Yates, who oversaw the logistics of getting the rig into position, included the use of cranes to position dimmer racks and other equipment on the building’s roof. Yates also oversaw the on-site team of electricians and ensuring that everything ran on time and on budget.
“The show’s creators were over the moon,” said Yates, “and also thoroughly impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the lighting team. The whole thing was incredibly rewarding — particularly given the complexity of the show and the tight time constraints.”
For more information, please visit www.carnivalarts.org.uk, www.walktheplank.co.uk and www.WhiteLight.Ltd.uk.
