Tag Archive: ETC Source Four Zooms

1. White Light Gets a Bite of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

   16 February 2017 09:42 Comments Off on White Light Gets a Bite of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

   The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969, selling more than 43 million copies worldwide. Now the timeless classic is making its way off the page and onto the stage in a critically-acclaimed production which brings together Carle’s legendary stories through the use of puppetry. Currently embarking on a tour across the UK, White Light has been called upon to provide the lighting equipment.

   Produced by MEI Theatrical Ltd, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been adapted by Jonathan Rockefeller and consists of four classic Carle stories: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, The Very Lonely Firefly and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Ros Spiers-King, Dream Manager at MEI, comments: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a brilliant show that manages to encapsulate the magic of Carle’s novels and bring this alive from the page. Many of our young audience have heard the books being read but have never seen what these would like look animated; which is exactly what the show provides”.

   The books are re-imagined through the use of more than 75 puppets and a hard-working cast of four. Ros adds: “As this is a children’s show, it is extremely busy with lots happening at a very rapid rate. Alongside the cast and props, we rely heavily on the lighting to help push the story forward”.

   As a result, working with David Goldstein’s original lighting design, Ros and Technical Manager Tom Boucher approached WL to supply them with equipment suitable for the show. Ros states: “The set is actually entirely white which can potentially be a nightmare when lighting! However, as Eric Carle’s books and stories are so colourful, we wanted to use the lights to capture this”.

   WL supplied the production with Martin MAC Aura LEDs, ETC Source Four Zooms and an ETC Ion 1K Console. WL also provided a series of gobos to help create the polka dots that are synonymous with The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

   Ros comments: “As the show is visiting over 50 venues, we had to choose a selection of lights that were both specific yet adaptable. The venues we visit vary enormously in size, from large regional theatres to intimate town halls. Thankfully, the kit supplied by WL meant we had a wide range of options that could bring the show to life regardless of the location”.

   The tour marks the latest chapter of the production which first embarked on a tour last year before having a limited run at the Ambassadors Theatre in London’s West End; both of which were supplied by WL. The show is currently playing at the Newbury Corn Exchange and will visit the Atkinson Theatre in Southport later this week. Over the next few months, it will tour venues all across the country. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit: www.hungrycaterpillarshow.com

   Ros adds: “We are really proud of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the incredible cast and crew and the impact the show is having on young audiences. We are also extremely grateful to WL, especially Senior Hire Co-ordinator Dan Last, for providing such brilliant service and going out of their way to ensure our needs were always met”.

   Photos courtesy of Pamela Raith and Ros Spiers-King.

    

2. White Light in the Running for London Marathon Event

   9 February 2017 09:35 Comments Off on White Light in the Running for London Marathon Event

   Now in its 38^th year, the London Marathon is the Guinness World Record’s largest annual fundraising event across the globe. It has raised more than £800 million for charity and more than a million runners have participated. This year’s Virgin Money London Marathon takes place on Sunday 23^rd April. As a means of preparation, every year London Marathon Events Ltd hold a Meet the Experts day in which runners can meet the marathon experts and ask any questions they may have. This year’s event took place at Central Hall Westminster and White Light provided the complete technical solutions.

   The Meet the Experts day took place on Saturday 4^th February. Central Hall was chosen due to its Central London location along with the fact that it is literally metres away from the Virgin Money London Marathon’s finish line.

   Jonjo Glynn, WL’s Venues Director, comments: “This was a fantastic event for anyone who is participating in the marathon to ensure they are fully prepared for the event. As there would be a lot of talks and interactive Q and A sessions, we wanted to ensure that the best production support was in place”.

   The main sessions were held in the Great Hall, Central Hall’s flagship space. As part of the production support, WL supplied ETC Source Four Zooms, DPA d:screet™ Mini Lecture Microphones, Shure Radio Mics, an EM Acoustic PA System along with Christie Projectors.

   Alongside the events taking place in the Great Hall, adidas had created stores in both the Lecture Hall and Library area which hosted their official VMLM clothing range and also gave guests an interactive 3D footscan.

   Jonjo adds: “All three spaces were extremely busy throughout the day and we realised that there would be those in the adidas stores who would potentially miss out on what was being said in the Great Hall. To address this, we positioned a large projection screen in the Lecture Hall and Library where we relayed a live stream of the talks being given upstairs, ensuring that no one missed any of the action”.

   Speakers on the day included the Event Director Hugh Brasher, the London Marathon’s announcer Geoff Wightman and BBC newsreader and marathon runner Sophie Raworth. WL also provided custom-made gobos which featured the Virgin Money London Marathon branding.

   

   Dani Nimmock, Organiser of Meet the Experts from London Marathon Events Ltd, comments: “The Central Hall tech team that worked on the day were thorough and reliable and kept a close attention to detail throughout. They were very professional and a pleasure to work with. I felt that our production was in very safe hands and that nothing was too much to ask for”.

   Jonjo adds: “Meet the Experts marks another example of how clients can come to Central Hall, use the varied spaces within this historic location and receive the very best AV support. Hosting conferences on an almost daily basis, we are always able to deliver the clients’ exact requirements; both on time and on budget”.

   Photos courtesy of London Marathon Events Ltd.