With many theatres across London spending millions of pounds on their theatre lighting design, the advance in technology has led to a wider variety of lighting solutions and possibilities throughout dramatic performances.
“Lighting directors now have more scope and more possibilities than ever before,” said one stage director in Hampshire, “Larger venues have so much they can set up and transform in terms of their lighting, and smaller venues have the advantage of being able to showcase subtle lighting techniques in an intimate space. Lighting can communicate so much to an audience, so it is vital that directors consider their lighting options.”
State Theatre Company’s lighting director Geoff Cobham has also spoken about the importance of lighting during a theatrical performance, saying that the lighting creates important atmosphere and conveys abstract concepts to the audience. He commented on a recent production he has been working on, “Ideally we want the lighting to create the atmosphere that the play is creating…(in some scenes) the actors operate the lights themselves. It’s perfect for the scene.”
Whatever the performance, from dance, to panto, to a one-woman dramatic show, stage lighting design can have a key influence on your audience and critics. You needn’t have a large budget to pull off a great lighting range, either. Cost effective lighting solutions are available for theatres who are watching the pennies.