Following last year’s success, White Light kit was much in evidence again at the magical Minack Theatre near Penzance in Cornwall during the first week of August.On this occasion White Light was supporting the Shattered Windscreen Theatre Company’s stunning production of Coram Boy, adapted by Helen Edmundson from the original novel by Jamila Gavin.
This dark tale set in the mid 18th Century is a challenge to any theatre company. The sheer pace of the action – 60 scenes spread over two Acts – set in a variety of locations, places huge demands on actors and designers alike. Add to that the wild and often unforgiving nature of the Minack, this was not a task for the faint hearted.
Lighting Designer Ken Allford approached White Light having worked closely with Trevor Wallace on last September’s production of War of the Worlds at the same venue.
“Source 4’s are definitely the lantern of choice at a venue like the Minack. I was impressed with the standard of the White Light’s kit, especially features like Doughty half couplers which make rigging so much easier when you’re hanging off a cliff! In all we man handled around a ton of S4 profiles and S4 PARs of virtually every beam angle available down through the venue.”
“Two particular challenges were the appearance of the Angel and the climax to Act 2, the drowning scene. In this venue the entire audience looks down on the stage so the director has to constantly look at the stage picture as seen from that perspective. For the Angel, set designer Steve Onyon designed a ramp through the rocks to allow the actress to appear above the stage, standing on one of the famous arches, caught like a moth in an open white Foxie against a blackened sky, but also heavily back-lit to add translucence to her costume. The sea effect was created by the cast ‘wafting’ multiple lengths of organza drapes which caught the light beautifully from below and above. A final touch was created by rotating break ups from above, as the actors plunged in amongst sparkling fabric, so simple but highly effective”
The results spoke for themselves. The production was a sell out and should place SWTC high on the list for the coveted Minack Trophy, awarded each year for the best production of the season.
Further information about White Light, including a portfolio of recent shows, can be found online at www.WhiteLight.Ltd.uk.