White Light Supplies Orange Tree Theatre with a Sustainable Lighting Upgrade

	"After 15 years avoiding moving lights in plays because of noise, we finally have a fixture that's powerful, versatile, and silent," says Bell. Photo: courtesy of the Orange Tree Theatre/Ellie Kurttz

Richmond's Orange Tree Theatre has taken a step towards sustainability and creative innovation with a major investment in new LED lighting fixtures, supplied and supported by White Light (WL).

As an intimate, in-the-round venue where audiences are just centimeters from the stage, the Orange Tree Theatre faces unique technical challenges. For years, its tungsten rig demanded constant maintenance and generated excessive heat, impacting both performers and audiences.

Phil Bell, technical and production director at the Orange Tree, explains: "Reliability was a big issue. Our old kit needed frequent repairs, and the heat from traditional fixtures made the space uncomfortable. We wanted a solution that was efficient, quiet, and fit our tight grid without compromising the audience experience."

After extensive consultation and on-site demonstrations with WL's team, the theatre selected a combination of fixtures: ETC Colorsource Fresnel V and Colorsource Spot V along with Chauvet Ovation E-2FC and Chauvet Maverick Silens 1X moving head profiles. These units deliver exceptional optical performance, color flexibility, and crucially also operate in complete silence, the company says, an essential feature for a venue where lights are often less than a meter from the audience.

Bell adds: "WL's Jonathan Haynes was incredibly helpful. We had numerous conversations about the technical infrastructure and received clear advice on the best fixtures to meet our challenges. The Maverick Silens blew us away. After 15 years avoiding moving lights in plays because of noise, we finally have a fixture that's powerful, versatile, and silent. We've achieved a rig that meets our creative ambitions without compromising our space."

The upgrade has already transformed production workflows. Focus sessions are faster, fewer fixtures are needed to achieve complex looks, and the theatre has seen a significant reduction in energy consumption, the company says, supporting its commitment to sustainability.

Lighting designer David Howe, the first to use the new rig on Creditors, praises the impact: "The new equipment is outstanding; excellent optics, zoom ranges, and color rendering. For the first time, we could create dynamic shifts in color and mood without hanging dozens of extra fixtures. It's a game-changer for designers and the building team alike. Even the cast noticed the difference: clean, bright beams of light that blended beautifully and bathed the stage in playing light."

Senior business development manager Jonathan Haynes comments: "Working with Phil and the Orange Tree Theatre has been fantastic. We take pride in supporting our customers with technical choices; it's always a true partnership. WL is proud to have played a part in their sustainable journey, combining technical excellence with environmental responsibility to help tell stories that matter."

Beyond technical benefits, the investment strengthens the Orange Tree's community ethos. With a flexible, in-house rig, the theatre can now support its busy program of mainstage productions, lunchtime plays, and community projects without relying on external hires.

Looking ahead, the new system will take center stage in the theatre's Christmas production of The Rivals, designed by Will Reynolds; another advocate for sustainable practice.