The Full Monty, a stage adaptation of the hit British film, has been playing to enormous popular acclaim in New York - and so has now made the journey back to the UK, where it will play at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Lighting designer Howell Binkley will re-create his New York design, making use of an automated lighting rig of 6 Martin Mac2000s, 12 Mac500s and 38 High End StudioColors controlled from a Whole Hog 2 console. The rig also features around 325 ETC Source Fours, 55 of which are fitted with Wybron colour scrollers, and Orion and L&E Ministrip floodlight units, 80 StarStrobes, police beacons, Robert Juliat Aramis followspots, and MDG Atmosphere and Look Solutions Tiny Fogger smoke machines. The conventional rig will be controlled from an ETC Obsession 2 console. The rig will also make use of White Light's Swing Wing truss to allow easy access to the rig for focussing and maintenance. The show's production electrician is Pete Lambert, with Stewart Crosbie and Simon Marlow serving as production managers.
Taboo, by contrast, is a brand new musical written by eighties pop icon Boy George, which is playing at a new 300-seat venue called The Venue, located just off Leicester Square. Designed by Tim Goodchild, the show is being lit by Chris Ellis using a four Martin Mac600s, twelve Mac250s and five Mac300s alongside a conventional rig that includes ETC Source Fours and Source Four Pars with a Source Four ten degree used as a followspot, CCT Minuette Fresnels, Strand Prelude 16/30s and a selection of Birdies and Par36s. Atmospheric effects are being provided by a Spaceball smoke machine and the Unique hazer, which, given the compact nature of The Venue, has the advantage of being silent in operation. The entire rig controlled from a Strand 520i console, which the lighting designer is programming himself; the show's production electricians are Simon Needle and Mark Watkins; Ted Irwin and Gerry Geatt are sharing the production manager duties. Further information about the show can be found at its web site, www.tabootheshow.com.
In addition to The Full Monty and Taboo, White Light and The Moving Light Company continue to supply many other ongoing West End and touring shows, including My Fair Lady, Kiss Me Kate, Chicago, Miss Saigon, Art, The Play What I Wrote and Humble Boy. The companies will also be supplying the lighting to the new musical production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.