Opened by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1853, The St George’s Hall in Bradford holds a special place in the theatrical history of West Yorkshire. Charles Dickens gave the first ever reading of Bleak House at the hall in 1854, Harry Houdini performed for ‘positively one week only’ in 1905 and the Halle Orchestra have been regular visitors since 1865. Throughout its century and a half of history, the venue has hosted a remarkable array of events. From hosting stage plays to political rallies – Churchill was once interrupted there by suffragettes during a speech – to being a cinema and a home for rock concerts, comedians and public meetings, this magnificent building continues to stand the test of time. St George’s Hall has twice been significantly damaged by fire and was briefly closed in 2003 following the discovery of small cracks in the ceiling. A Grade II listed building of significant historical interest, the facility is administered by Bradford Metropolitan District Council under the scrutiny of English Heritage.

GDS UK Dealer Northern Light was commissioned by the Council to install a new house lighting system into the hall, where such lighting levels were deemed unacceptable. The system was required to dramatically improve the lighting levels in a Victorian building, whilst meeting the need for efficiency and sustainability expected in a twenty-first century facility. The historical integrity of the building would be of paramount importance at every stage and there would be no facility to make any structural or cosmetic alterations. GDS was invited to supply ArcSystem, with its range of LED, fully dimmable auditorium lighting fixtures, controlled by the wireless ArcMesh protocol following a successful demonstration by Northern Light.

The restrictions presented by the historic nature of the building were readily overcome by the employment of ArcSystem. Since the system utilises the existing infrastructure, the solving of obstructive and time-consuming problems is obviated. In this case, for example, the roof void was extremely limited – a potential headache especially in the heritage context – but of little consequence to ArcSystem. In fact the roof-space provided a convenient housing for the system’sTX1 transmitter and remained otherwise untouched. Northern Light installed 112 ArcSystem Pro 1 Cell 3000k 37 deg fittings, each complete with the standard D1 driver for dimming. The fittings were mounted flush into the historic ceiling with an adapter plate utilising the existing holes.

The benefits of ArcSystem were further enhanced by the timescale of the installation, which took Northern Light only three days to complete. The positive economic implications of such a brief shut-down are obvious in terms of the hall’s programme of events, which could be said to have been only minimally affected. As well as the practical and economic advantages of the system, its sustainability was underlined in this project not just by its low-energy characteristics but by the fact that the system was commissioned from GDS HQ in Bristol. This was achieved by dialling in and remotely accessing the system, saving time, money and the carbon footprint associated with the traditional, now unnecessary, need to travel to the site. Further emphasising the system’s sustainability credentials, the end-users were trained in the operation of the system via a GDS web portal, again, maximising technology to reduce environmental impact.

Northern Light’s Keith Mitchell observed that:

“Aside from any other consideration, the principal task at hand was to ensure that we significantly improved the light levels in the building and ArcSystem provided us with brightness to spare. The demands placed on installers working in listed heritage sites can be very challenging and this system is ideal in the face of such constraints…“

Chris Barlow, Technical Electrics Manager for Bradford Theatres was very enthusiastic about the outcome of the installation:

“It isn’t simply that the levels of lighting in the hall have been increased – although they certainly have – but more that the quality of lighting has added a warmth to the building that we have never had before. The tangible enhancement that ArcSystem has provided would prompt me to recommend it without hesitation in any similar situation. Factor in the speed and straightforward nature of the install and one would have to say that the system is a winner in every respect.“

In the light of ArcSystem’s presence in an increasing number of historically significant and listed buildings, it is clearly establishing a reputation as a universal, flexible, cost effective and sustainable choice for architects, consultants and installers alike.

ArcSystem was selected for its superior capacity to provide even illumination with good colour rendering and dim smoothly to any required level. As the down time available in the venue to install the system was limited, the ability to use the wireless operation to reduce the amount if wiring and therefore time required on site was a significant consideration. During certain events such as orchestral concerts, there is a requirement to leave the houselights on the audience at very low levels and ArcSystem offers the highest quality solution in this respect. In one area of the hall, specifically underneath the balcony, the existing standard light fittings appealed aesthetically – visitors were keen on the ‘theatrical look’ and so GDS developed a bespoke fitting that retained as closely as possible the existing non-recessed appearance, whilst still providing high quality lighting.

In this, the largest installation of ArcSystem to date, 202 fixtures were installed, comprising 48 x Pro 4 Cell fixtures ( 2 of which are dual input emergency fixtures), 62 x Pro 2 Cell fixtures (10 of which are dual input emergency fixtures) and 92 x Decor 1 Cell fixtures (14 of which are dual input emergency fixtures). The system is controlled by 2 x TX1 Master Transmitters and 1 x 6-channel control desk via GDS control software.

The hall itself provided few challenges in respect of installing the hardware apart from its size and the sheer number of fittings. Andy Stone, theatre consultant from Drama by Design was clear in his approval of ArcSystem:-

“The system is excellent. The products are great. They were very easy to install, with the result that we were ahead of the schedule we’d set ourselves. As with any project there were some teething problems, in this case associated with the wireless control, but these were down to the nature of the overall building rather than the kit and GDS were quick to help us overcome them. ArcSystem has delivered a dramatic improvement in lighting levels and will reduce maintenance and running costs, so I’d imagine the management of Portsmouth Guildhall will consider their brief well and truly met!“

GDS was asked by Texas Scenic Company (TSC) to supply a zoned, DMX-controlled, working light system for this prestigious development. Fundamental to the requirement was to allow technicians access to technical areas under dark performance conditions without drawing audience attention. The system is to be used across the stage galleries, auditorium catwalks and followspot booth.

Working in conjunction with Schuler Shook Theatre Planners, TSC installed GDS’ award winning, industry-standard BluesSystem. Fundamental to its selection was BluesSystem’s ease of installation, mounting directly to electrical conduit, its low power demands and compact size, DMX control and zoning capabilities. A testament to its high-powered quality was that it was initially found to be too bright in the catwalk areas, casting light onto adjacent surfaces. The issue was resolved by reducing the maximum intensity through the control system and creating custom beam shaping on the fixtures using BluesSystem ‘cowls‘ and ‘eyelids‘ for optimum working levels. In all, some 64 BluesSystem components were employed in the installation.

Kimberly Corbett, ASTC, theatre consultant with Schuler Shook succinctly observed that the system ‘packed a lot of punch’, another example in a state-of-the art theatre where BluesSystem lights the way.

2012 has seen GDS involved as an integral part of some of the most high profile and technologically challenging productions in existence. The Olympics is arguably the greatest show on earth and GDS’s Special Projects Division was involved in both the Closing Ceremony of the Olympics and the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympics.

At the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony GDS were commissioned to light the London landmarks. Each landmark was illuminated using one and two channel festoon lighting, custom control racks and infrastructure, creating a breath-taking visual effect. Later in the summer at the Paralymic Opening Ceremony, GDS was engaged to provide bespoke strobe lighting in the form of umbrellas representing the Higgs-Boson in the section of the ceremonies dedicated to science. Custombuilt umbrella tops with integral strobe lights and wiring in the umbrella handle, with custom control systems routed to the mobile truck were used. Once again, the effect created a powerful impact in keeping with the spectacular nature of the whole show.

Whilst the Olympics were wowing people all over the world, the Edinburgh Festival continued to offer its huge artistic diversity and GDS were again involved in a lighting spectacular. Speed of Light is another project produced by NVA, a registered Scottish arts charity funded by Creative Scotland and a number of UK trusts and foundations. In the past it has produced award winning and dynamic projects in challenging landscapes including temporary lighting animations on the mountains of Skye and permanent spaces such as the Hidden Gardens in Glasgow.
At this year’s official launch event for the Edinburgh International Festival hundreds of runners took to the peak of Arthur Seat wearing specially commissioned colour changing light suits, which were designed built and executed by GDS. The runners were joined by a walking audience of 800 members of the public, who walked up and down the hill in guided groups carrying glowing staffs, also custom built by GDS, incorporating an aluminium tube with an acrylic base and a custom Joggler that had a magnetic reaction when the stick came into contact with the floor, ensuring the walkers had light for guidance and safety.

Across the Atlantic, Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark was described by the New York Times as ‘the most technically complex production ever on Broadway’ and GDS’s CueSystem was at the heart of the production. CueSystem is a range of products that provides simple, reliable cue light control for theatres, conference areas, and any venue that requires a cue light system. Spider-Man Technical Director, C Randal White, chose the system for its flexibility and adaptability was very complimentary about the way the system fitted in.

CueSystem has also been in operation on similarly high profile shows this year including,two Cirque du Soleil productions, the Michael Jackson Immortal tour and Zarkana, although perhaps more spectacular still was Franco Dragone’s the House of Dancing Water, which has already welcomed in excess of a million spectators at Macau’s City of Dreamstheatre. For this show GDS also supplied its world famous BluesSystem working lights and specially designed under water diver cue lights.

Performed by an 80 strong cast of international performance artists and 160 top production and technical members from more than 25 countries around the world, the production incorporates dazzling costuming, amazing audio and visual special effects, and it is staged at the Dancing Water Theatre, designed by world renowned Pei Partnership. This purpose built theatre contains one of the most impressive commercial pools in the world, holding approximately 3.7 million gallons, which is more than five Olympic-sized swimming pools, and will be one of the largest water-based theatres in the world. GDS were proud to be part of this extraordinary production, yet another example of its considerable global reach. The GDS stage managers range, which incorporates the CueSystem, is also being supplied internationally, with production in 2012 being double that of 2011.

Away from the epic scale of such huge global events, GDS continues to thrive in offering solutions across the theatre and architectural markets. Ollavshallen in Trondheim Norway is a 1,200 seat multidiscipline performance space that was in need of a replacement system for its ageing auditorium lighting system. The venue’s technical team required a sustainable house light system that could be retro-fitted in a matter of hours. The installation of the new system was completed overnight by the in-house technical team, it was straightforward, fast and the fittings worked immediately. Hardware and software were installed and communicated efficiently.

ArcSystem is a range of auditorium lighting fixtures developed through working closely with venues and consultants. It is the world’s first truly dimmable wireless lighting system, providing dimming from 0% to 100%. The range uses GDS’s wireless ArcMesh protocol for control, allowing the system to be retrofitted without the need to re-wire the venue. The fittings can be recessed or surface-mounted and comes in one, two, four and eight cell options with a range of beam-angles. All ArcSystem products are available in wired or wireless for new-build or retrofit installations.

This year, ArcSystem has also been installed in prestigious performance spaces around the UK including The Portsmouth Guild Hall, The Bush Theatre, Central School of Speech and Drama, Epsom College, Redgrave Theatre, Larnark Memorial Hall, Birmingham Hippodrome Auditorium and foyer areas and The Bacon Theatre, but perhaps its finest hour in 2012 was its installation at the Bristol Old Vic.

Bristol Old Vic’s Royal Theatre was designed by Bristol architect James Saunderson in 1766. The auditorium has remained largely unchanged for well over 200 years and is the oldest working theatre in the UK and is Grade 1 Listed.

In March 2011 Bristol Old Vic, started work on a £19.26 million redevelopment project that is set to complete in 2016. As the renovation project progressed it was obvious that no ordinary lighting solution would suffice for this historic auditorium.
Arc System was chosen by the Bristol Old Vic. Light levels and aesthetics were key aspects and DS had to design a scheme that worked within the existing fabric of the building and took into consideration the rigorous planning restrictions. The Bristol Old Vic project is GDS’s most complex to date. The team had to overcome the challenges of wirelessly controlling fittings situated in many different locations and separated by thick walls, doors and across corridors.

From LiteWare, GDS’s original battery powered wireless LED fitting to the multi-award winning BluesSystem working lights; from CueSystem cue lights to ArcSystem auditorium lighting, GDS continues to create innovative, flexible solutions that have found their way from Broadway to the Bristol Old Vic and from Cirque De Soleil to the Olympics.

GDS LiteWare Satellite was chosen by Event Lighting Services IOM as the complete stage lighting solution for the most recent Sports and Dining Club™ event. The celebrity speaker illuminated by LiteWare Satellite was author and former politician Jeffrey Archer.

The LiteWare family is a range of battery powered, wireless DMX LED fittings, offering full RGB colour mixing with no heat. The fittings are Ip rated for use outside and in and are charged via a simple integrated charging system built into its storage flightcase. LiteWare Satellite is the newest member of the highly successful range and provides a flexible, new-way of thinking for battery based Luminaries. The fittings incorporate a remote fully adjustable head with 360 degree pan and 180 degree tilt, and an internally wired extendable pole that can elevate the head up-to 2.6m, allowing the fitting to be focused in almost any position.

Event Lighting Services deployed four LiteWare Satellite fittings at each corner of the speaker’s platform, with twelve additional LiteWare HO (High Output) uplighters around the venue for ambient lighting. The LiteWare Satellite fittings were extended with the heads focused on the speaker at the lectern in the middle of the platform.

Justin McMullin, MD, Event Lighting Services commented: -

“We are big fans of the GDS LiteWare range. We have used them for several of The Dining Club’s events as they are pre-programmable, easy to deploy and allow us minimal set-up and get-out times. The LiteWare were ideal for this job as we were limited with space but wanted to achieve a high quality ambience to mirror the character of the event. We have an extensive stock holding of LiteWare HO and LiteWare Satellite and the fittings are always out on jobs, from corporate events to weddings and exhibitions, they are flexible, high quality solution for any event”.

The impressive Bacon Theatre sits in the grounds of Dean Close School in Cheltenham, built in 1991 it owes its name to Mr Christopher Bacon, former headmaster of the independent School.  Mr Bacon fundraised tirelessly to build the Bacon Theatre which is used as a resource by Dean Close School pupils as well as hosting the best of professional touring theatre, live music, dance, film and accommodating local talented youth, community groups and charities.

The GDS engineering team visited the site with CTS in the summer of 2011. They designed the 566-seat theatre a retrofit house lighting solution, incorporating its industry acclaimed ArcSystem LED auditorium lighting fixtures.  The theatre had in place an ageing track light system which was proving increasingly difficult to source replacement fixtures and expensive to maintain.  Over time this resulted in dim and inefficient auditorium lighting.

After working closely with the theater’s technical department and Clive Chinnick of CTS, GDS commissioned a bespoke, retrofit system.  The final scheme included, from the ArcSystem Pro range, thirty 80 degree focusable fittings, which were flush mounted in to the auditorium ceiling, eight  37 degree fixed 1 Cell fittings and four standard 8 Cell fittings controlled by the innovative GDS ArcMesh wireless control network.  Three ArcSystem Wireless button panel controllers and a transmitter were installed, allowing the house lights to be controlled from the front and back of the theatre and backstage and avoiding the need for the DMX feeds at each location.

Dave Harris – Projects Manager at GDS commented: -
“ArcSystem was the perfect solution for the theatre, they needed an energy saving, low maintenance solution, whilst increasing the amount and quality of light. Specific requirements regarding control of the system were easily achieved by supplying our wireless button control panels along with the flexible configuration options we have with the system. They were able to locate the button panels wherever they wanted, in fact we sited them in minutes during commissioning and now they have the flexibility to move them anywhere in the venue in the future.It was a pleasure to see the system working and exceeding the theatre’s expectations. The system was a true enhancement to the venue, both in terms of aesthetics after removal of the old track lighting, adding flexibility to their control system and knowing that they are truly saving energy and cost by using the system.  We worked closely with CTS on all aspects of the installation from conception to commission.  CTS are a well-established business with over 31 years’ experience and their knowledge and skill made it a pleasure to work alongside Clive and the team”.

Clive Chinnick – Chinnick Theatre Services added: - 
“We were very pleased to install such an innovative product at The Bacon Theatre; a true example of a long established business merging with a contemporary solution with the impressive results exceeding every expectation. Working closely with both The Bacon and GDS enabled us to truly deliver a bespoke solution that will not only save the theatre money in the long term, but is also brighter and easier to control and maintain. Looking to the future we envisage many more venues would benefit from converting their existing house lighting to the ARC System and we look forward to continued success with the ARC system and cementing our relationship with GDS.”

Dave Thompson, Bacon Theatre Operations Manager concluded: -
“As part of our policy of reducing our carbon footprint we have been looking for an LED house lighting system for about 2 years but we found nothing that suited the venue with the height of the ceiling being a major issue. When GDS came in and demonstrated the arc system I felt we had found what we were looking for and after installation it far exceeded expectations and has significantly reduced the heat output and energy consumption in the auditorium. A big plus is the control system which allows the lights to be operated from anywhere in the theatre just by plugging one of the controllers into the mains supply. I would have no hesitation in recommending both the system and CTS, the installation team.”

ArcSystem has been continually praised for its innovative design, flexibility and environmental sustainability.  It has won numerous industry awards including, the LDI best green product Award, the ABTT Lighting Product of the Year Award, the Theatres Trust People’s Choice Award for Sustainability, a PLASA Award for Innovation  and the PLASA Sustainability Award

Olavshallen is a multi-purpose venue situated in the north of the city of Trondheim, Norway, close to the river Nidelva.  With a total capacity of 1204 seats on two levels, the venue welcomes a multitude of disciplines including touring theatre, live music, dance and comedy.

GDS distributor for Norway, Elektrik Solutions was approached by the technical team at Olavshallen to supply replacement fittings for the venues ageing auditorium lighting system.  The brief was to supply a reliable, sustainable product that could be easily installed between performances, so as not to disrupt its busy performance schedule.  The existing fittings were downlights and used standard 100W lamps which were proving inefficient and becoming increasingly hard to source.  Petter Nilssen Sales Manager for Elektrik was consulted by the venue and recommended the GDS ArcSystem 1Cell Pro adjustable fittings and wall panel for the job.

The Olavshallen technical team replaced the existing 100W downlights with 81 ArcSystem 1Cell fittings controlled by the innovative GDS ArcMesh wireless control network.  The fittings, situated underneath the auditorium balcony, utilised the existing wiring infrastructure ensuring a quick and easy installation.  An ArcSystem wireless button panel controller and transmitter were supplied, allowing the house lights to be controlled from anywhere in the theatre in addition to the DMX feed from its existing lighting desk.

Petter Nilssen, Elektrik commented:-

“ArcSystem was ideal for this job, it was chosen for its ability to dim from 100% to zero, and the fact that it could utilise the existing wiring infrastructure and could be installed in-house quickly and effectively”.

“The installation was completed overnight by the in-house technical team, it was straight-forward, fast and the fittings worked immediately, the hardware and software were installed and communicated without any problem.”

ArcSystem is a new range of LED auditorium lighting fixturesthat are truly dimmable from 0% to 100% using the wireless ArcMesh protocol for control. This allows the ArcSystem to be retrofitted without the need to rewire the auditorium. The ArcSystem comes in a range of options for both recessed and surface mount, single cell to multi-cell including 1, 4 and 8 Cell options. The optics are available in a range of beam angles including 19deg, 24deg and 37deg. Using high-efficiency optics and LED’s, GDS ArcSystem is able to produce a CRI in excess of 92 with a range of colour temperatures.

The ArcSystem range has been continually praised for its innovative design, flexibility and environmental sustainability. It has won numerous industry awards including, the LDI Best Green Product Award, the ABTT Lighting Product of the Year Award, the Theatres Trust People’s Choice Award for Sustainability, a PLASA Award for Innovation, and the PLASA Sustainability Award.

Chris Patton, GDS International Sales Manager for the Americas met with new and existing customers on the booth at the inaugural PLASA Focus Austin. The first of its kind for PLASA in North America, the show proved to be a resounding success. The new style event took a different approach to previous regional shows, standardising the size of the booths in order to promote fair competition, to allow more companies to exhibit and attract more visitors.
GDS exhibited a number of products at the show including the acclaimed wireless battery operated LED range LiteWare and the award winning ArcSystem LED auditorium fittings.

Chris Patton Commented; -
“The show has been a great platform for us to meet with our regional American customers that do not always have the time to visit the larger industry trade shows such as LDI. Many of the people that dropped by the booth had not previously had an opportunity to see the newer GDS products in the flesh and we had some fantastic feedback about our range particularly with LiteWare Satellite and ArcSystem”

GDS continues its international trade show run at ProLight & Sound in Frankfurt in March and then on to PLASA Focus Leeds and USITT in California. GDS will showcase its entire product portfolio across the events, with products spanning the entertainment technology, architectural, television and corporate markets. Products on show will include the new ArcSystem the world’s first truly dimmable LED, wireless auditorium lighting system, MainsSystem and BluesSystem ‘Industry Standard’ LED Working Lights, CueSystem TCP/IP Cue Light System, SMConsole bespoke Stage Managers desk, its LiteWare range incorporating LiteWare UL ‘the original’ wireless uplighter, HO High output version and the newest addition, Satellite the extendable, focusable version and MOBAL, the multi-functional Socapex fault diagnosis and correction tool.

Richard has been working for UK manufacturer GDS since 2007, when he was taken on as a full-time employee after enjoying work experience with the company. His BTEC apprenticeship in Technical engineering, combined with a workplace NVQ qualification was sponsored by GDS and completed last year.

Currently in the position of Design Engineer, Richard is responsible for the SMConsole stage managers desk and CueSystem show control ranges. Both ranges are being supplied across the world, from London’s West End to Sydney and across the USA. They have been used in prestigious shows including the Michael Jackson Arena tour and Broadway’s Spider-Man.

Matt Lloyd Managing Director GDS commented: -
“We are extremely proud of Richard’s achievements. His hard work and commitment was exceptional throughout his apprenticeship. Richard has become a responsible engineer playing a key role in our most prestigious and technical product lines. In addition to this he is a versatile member of both the engineering and production department. Dealing with our technical products requires great skill and understanding. Richard approaches his work with confidence and demonstrates a considerable degree of knowledge.”

He added: -
“Richard’s wholehearted commitment to his apprenticeship has seen him develop both technically and in an all-round work sense. He has clearly achieved excellent outcomes. The current and future benefits to Richard and GDS are plain to see.”

Since its launch at PLASA in September 2011, LiteWare Satellite has been embraced by the entertainment, events and television markets and has been used on numerous prime-time TV sets as both lighting for the cast and as a prominent feature in the set lighting. Television appearances, in conjunction with Richard Martin Lighting include, The Blue Peter Halloween Special, The National Lottery Awards, An evening with Justin Bieber, The Jonathan Ross Show and The Top of the Pops Christmas Day Special.

Richard Martin Lighting recently committed to a substantial stock holding of LiteWare Satellite and has been instrumental in its TV success.  The Blue Peter Halloween special saw Satellite used outside the studio as both key lights and fill light and also as a decorative part of the lighting.  The Wanted played live at The National Lottery Awards as LiteWare Satellite lit the front of the stage. This added another dimension to the stepped part of the set, the show was live so required the quick set up and strike that Satellite provides.

An Audience with Justin Bieber and The Jonathan Ross Christmas special used Satellite as part of the integral set design.  The LD for an Audience with Justin Bieber, Oli Richards used Liteware Satellite along the rear of the stage with the fittings dotted around the set at different heights creating an amazing effect for Justin and his band.

The Top of the Pops Christmas day special used the versatile fittings as a primary visual effect for several of the sound stages during the show.  Presented by Radio 1 DJ’s Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates, the hour long Christmas special featured performances from The Wanted, Pixie Lott and Example.  Other acts performing included this year’s X Factor winner, Professor Green, Ed Sheeran, Olly Murs, Rizzle Kicks, The Vaccines, Will Young and Noah and the Whale.

Steve Wells, Operations Manager at Richard Martin Lighting comments on Liteware Satellite: -

“Since RML purchased the Satellites, they have been used in a multitude of ways, showcasing their versatility and innovation. Their simple design, various heads and heights mean they are now a firm favourite with our LD’s and customers”.

LiteWare Satellite is a wireless battery operated LED fitting with an extendable fully adjustable head offering 360º pan and 180º tilt.  The fitting can be instantly modified with the use of an innovative internally wired pole that extends to offer elevation between 1.7m and 2.6m. The poles offer a weather proof quick lock mechanism to insure maximum speed of deployment.  LiteWare Satellite is available in RGB, Warm white or Cool White options and accessories include a metal floor plate for stabilising the unit in full extension.