Northern Light Assists In Keeping Young Vic Youthful
11 October 2006
Northern Light was responsible for the complete production lighting and sound and communications at London’s legendary Young Vic – which is due to reopen on 11 October following a major renovation managed by architects Haworth Tompkins.
After winning the tender to provide their expertise in ensuring that the technical aspects of the production lighting and sound were installed to the highest standards possible, Northern Light went on site in January 2006.
In addition to the efforts of Northern Light’s drawing office, project management and technical staff, the company’s manufacturing division had a tough challenge to face on this project.
Due to the performance space and very nature of the Young Vic’s artistic direction, Northern Light was called upon to custom make various aspects of the technical requirements.
Simon Cooper, Head of Projects at Northern Light, said: “There were very specific requirements for the refit of the Young Vic, but our drawing office and manufacturing division rose to the challenge and delivered exactly what was required.”
Special manufacturing included the custom build of the theatre’s lighting patch panel to include 252 dimmer outlets and 552 production outlets on a geographic representation of the theatre. Additionally the distinctive shape of the main auditorium resulted in manufacturing specially sized facility panels to fit into an extremely limited space of 3.9 metres wide by only 180 mm high.
The pièce de résistance was the unique design of a portable stage management desk. The innovative performance spaces available within the refurbished Young Vic mean that entertainers can move around the building to stage their acts. This of course means there is a requirement for equipment to do the same.
Northern Light managed to design and manufacture a stage management desk to client specification within the confines of a small flight case, ensuring easy portability whilst maintaining top spec performance. The SM desk also included a digital voice store to enable the Stage Manager to pre-record announcements and play them back during the show.
Phil Gladwell, Technical Director at the Young Vic, commented: “It has been a pleasure working with Northern Light on our much needed and much cared about refurbishment, their sensibility and attention to detail has been fantastic. Simon Cooper’s creativity and understanding has been integral to a very successful refit.”
Colin Cuthbert, Managing Director of Northern Light, concluded: “The re-opening of the Young Vic is a prestigious event, and one we are excited to have been involved in. The unique nature of the brief we received, and the results we delivered are demonstrative of the ability and versatility that Northern Light is so well known for.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Young Vic was originally designed by Bill Howell at a cost of £60,000 and opened on 11 September 1970. This was originally meant to be a temporary home.
2. The building was closed between 2004 and 2006 for a major refurbishment as the fabric of the building was crumbling.
3. Jude Law championed the £12.45 million fundraising campaign for the refurbishment of the theatre.
4. Northern Light used ETC dimming, Canford Audio cabling, Bryant Broadcast cabling and a Sennheiser infra red system in their areas of the technical refit of the Young Vic.
For further information contact Lois Ferguson on 0131 622 9135