Theatrical entertainment specialists, Stage Electrics supplied the first ETC Gio lighting control console in Europe to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA).LIPA was founded in 1996 by their lead patrons Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty (LIPA's Principal). Today LIPA is an acknowledged part of the UK’s higher education provision for the performing arts, recognised and ranked alongside institutions more established. The college holds a selection of both concert and theatre style desks for their students to use and train on.

With students being taught to be versatile and industry-aware practitioners, the college regularly upgrades their resources in order to stay current with industry standards. With this in mind they turned to Stage Electrics to research into upgrading their main theatre style desk which will specifically be used by students on the BA (hons) Theatre and Performance Technology programme available at LIPA

“After a demonstration of the Gio it seemed like the obvious choice for us here at LIPA because they are intuitive, user friendly and reliable, in addition to the fact that they are becoming the new industry standard console in UK regional theatres” commented Paul Halgarth one of the Technical Managers at LIPA.

“Originally, they were considering the Eos lighting console but felt that the smaller footprint and compact nature of the new Gio would suit their needs better whilst still allowing them to have the integrated touch screens and layout of the larger Eos desk” commented Rob Beamer, Business Development Manager for Stage Electrics.

The much awaited Gio is the newest edition to ETC’s Eos family, even with its lightweight and tidy footprint; this compact desk is the middle child of the Eos line. The Gio sits in-between the Ion and Eos in the product family – sharing the same powerful programming DNA. To its users the Gio introduces some new features including backlit buttons, two integral, articulating multi-touch displays and support for a further three external displays, all of which can also be multi-touch.

“When using the console it feels like a lot of thought has gone into the layout and design of the user interface, I find that the Gio suits my particular style of programming well. I like to access everything quickly, and programme directly from the keypad without having to constantly reach for the mouse to complete commands. I found my transition to this desk was natural which has been beneficial in helping me support the students with learning the desk” continued Paul.