Bristol Old Vic have enlisted Stage Electrics to supply lighting, AV and sound equipment for a redevelopment that will transform the Theatre Royal’s front of house, studio theatre and other public spaces. This is the biggest refurbishment the Bristol Old Vic, a theatre company established in 1946, has undergone since the renovation of their historic Georgian auditorium in 2012.

Initially Stage Electrics tendered for all the lighting equipment for the studio theatre’s redevelopment. On successfully wining the tender Stage Electrics’ Steve Woolley met with Tim Streader, chief electrician at the Bristol Old Vic, to finalise the details of the order. “The Bristol Old Vic clearly required LED profile fixtures that could accommodate extensive colour-mixing.” explained Steve “After demonstrating different fixtures, we helped the client settle on ETC’s ColorSource Spot. This fixture offers a combination of extensive colour-mixing, incomparable projection, and a bright, even field of light.” As the lantern met the variable requirements of the busy studio theatre, the Bristol Old Vic invested in 36 ColorSource Spots.

As for lighting control, Tim decided on ETC’s Gio @5 console. “This console is perfect for a venue like ours,” commented Tim, “we need a console that can be easily moved between venue spaces whilst still offering high-end control. The Gio @5 does just that.”

Stage Electrics were also contracted to supply lighting and lighting control for the new front of house space. Similar to the studio theatre, the front of house space had to be adaptable for a range of uses. For this reason, Tim Streader wanted to install a further 14 ColorSource Spots in this space too.

Scheduled to reopen at the end of September 2018, the Bristol Old Vic have nearly finished the works that will transform their front of house, studio theatre and other public spaces.