"The Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation's Shoestring Theatre is a converted gymnasium run by Croydon Youth Services," explains Ian Locke, manager of Ashcroft Services and technical manager at Croydon's Fairfield Halls. "CYTO have very little money - but they urgently needed their lighting installation to be drastically upgraded! They turned to Ashcroft Services for help; working with White Light and Zero 88 we were able to considerably improve their facilities."
The upgrade saw CYTO replace three six-way Pulsar dimmer racks with what Locke describes as a "very fine ex-demonstration Chilli Pepper 24-channel dimmer rack from Zero88" sourced through Roger Hennigan at White Light. Ashcroft Services also re-wired the theatre, changed the control protocol to suit the new dimmers and installed a new patch bay, while White Light's specialist service and support team at The Service Company serviced the theatre's Strand MX control console.
The new installation is already being put to use on the CYTO's current production of Little Shop of Horrors, and will be in use again in January on their production of Twelfth Night.
Though best known by many for its work supplying lighting for West End and touring theatrical productions, White Light has been involved in a wide range of entertainment lighting projects of all scales and types through its three-decade history. The Croydon Youth Theatre is just one of the many projects that White Light has carried out for schools and smaller theatres, including recent installations at Newton Preparatory School and the Royal Academy of Music, and an acclaimed series of Schools Lighting Master Classes. White Light Hire also has a staff member with particular responsibility for school and amateur hires - Jonathan Wilson can be contacted on the main White Light number, 020 8254 4800, or by email to Jonthan.Wilson@whitelightgroup.co.uk.