WL at the first ABTT Show
Founded in 1971 by John Simpson and lighting designers Andy Phillips and Rory Dempster from the Royal Court, the company took its name from the distinctive style of lighting based on only using corrected 'white' light then in use at the Court. The Royal Court also have the company its first job - the transfer of The Rocky Horror Show from the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs to the Kings Road Theatre.
The company's philosophy, established from its earliest days, was to provide a service, while at the same time putting something back into the industry. Over the years that philosophy has seen White Light working on productions of all types and sizes, introducing the latest technological advances on large scale shows before spreading that knowledge and equipment down to users at every level. The Rainbow colour scroller, for example, first used by Andy Phillips on M.Butterfly and David Hersey on Miss Saigon in 1989 can now be found on even the smallest of shows.
The entertainment industry has changed and grown dramatically over the years, and White Light has changed and grown dramatically with it - expanding from hiring lighting equipment into the White Light Group, with specialist divisions covering lighting hire, sales, automated lighting, architectural lighting, service and support, computer aided design and more. White Light still works to give something back to the industry, though, most recently through our popular Training Initiative training and education scheme.
The White Light Group's enormous growth has meant that in recent years the Group has had to expand beyond the base in Filmer Road, Fulham, that it has occupied for the last twenty years; the start of White Light's fourth decade will see all of the Group companies move back under one roof at a new building in London SW19.
That move will take place during October. In the meantime, White Light are inviting customers past, present and future to join them in celebrating their birthday at the popular White Light bar on stand F4 at PLASA 2001. We hope to see you there!