Lights To Dim (Better) at The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Published on: 24 Jul, 2018
Updated on: 25 Jul, 2018

Some of the old 40-year-old equipment being replaced at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

By Amina Sahbegovic

The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is to embark on a major stage lighting project this summer. Light dimmers, over forty years, old will be replaced.

Light dimming is essential for a full range of lighting effects to be achieved and improvement of the lighting system has even been said to have become critical to the survival of the theatre. The project to install modern, computerised lighting technology will take nine weeks to complete.

The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Liza Cheal, the technical manager, said: “Since the dimmer system was installed, lighting technology and production values have changed immeasurably and our current dimmer switches and their associated housing and wiring are outdated and inefficient.”

Funding such projects is always an issue for the arts. Laura Butler, press and PR manager explained: “The work has been made possible by the funds raised through the Restoration Levy, a fee applied to each ticket which goes directly to the maintenance programme, as well as a combination of legacy donations, grant funding and public support that have contributed to financing this vital upgrade.”

The theatre runs a continuous maintenance programme. In 2016, the auditorium old carpets and seats in the auditorium were replaced. While this was not as vital as the dimmer project, the new seats were to improve comfort and legroom.