Going Green: White Light Supplies Shrek

Continuing its busy spring season of new shows, entertainment lighting specialist White Light has been chosen to supply the lighting to Shrek, the musical adaptation of the smash-hit Dreamworks Animation film that has already been greeted with acclaim in New York and on its current US tour.
 
The stage version of Shrek has been created by a hugely experienced theatrical team, including directors Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, choreographer Josh Prince, designer Tim Hatley and lighting designer Hugh Vanstone. Shrek marks White Light’s second ‘green’ collaboration with Vanstone this year, having also supplied the lighting equipment for his design for The Wizard of Oz.
 
Vanstone is once again making full use of White Light’s extensive lighting rental stock, his rig based around a core of Vari-Lite equipment: VL3000 Spots, VL3000 Washes, VL3500 framing spots and VL500 80V tungsten washlights as well as Martin TW1 tungsten washlights. iPix BB4 and PixelRange PixelLine 1044 LED fixtures are also being used for cyc and scenic lighting, giving high output and a wide colour choice from reliable, low-maintenance, low energy fixtures. Followspots are Robert Juliat Lancelot 4kW HTI units, to give punch over the enormous throws in one of London’s largest theatres. The rig is then rounded out with a large selection of ETC Source Four spotlights, Martin Atomic strobes fitted with colour scrollers, and smoke and effect from MDG Atmospheres and Look Solutions Viper smoke machines. The entire rig is controlled from an MA Lighting grandMA control system.
 
Vanstone’s team on the show include his regular collaborators from around the world: production electrician Fraser Hall, the show’s US associate lighting designer Philip Rosenberg, and programmers Laura Frank and Dave Sadler. The Theatre Royal’s lighting team is led by chief electrician Steve McAndrew; the production team is led by production manager Richard Bullimore.
 
Shrek continues White Light’s long working relationship with the Theatre Royal Drury Lane; immediately prior to Shrek White Light supplied the lighting for the 2011 Olivier Awards at the theatre, and the company has previously supplied productions including The Lord of the Rings, My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, The Witches of Eastwick and the ten year run of Miss Saigon.
 
The London production of Shrek previews from May 6th. Further information about the show can be found at the website.
 
Shrek joins the many other West End shows currently being supplied by White Light, including Betty Blue Eyes, Billy Elliot, Chicago, The Children’s Hour, Dirty Dancing, Love Never Dies, Les Misérables, The 39 Steps, War Horse and The Wizard of Oz.