The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is currently touring the UK, following sell-out seasons at Leeds Playhouse and the Bridge Theatre, London. Based on C S Lewis’ classic book, the production takes audiences into the world of Narnia and features a lighting design by Jack Knowles, who approached White Light to supply his lighting rig. 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which was recently voted the nation’s favourite novel, tells the story of Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to a talking Faun, an unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruellest White Witch. Despite it being such an iconic story, Jack was actually able to approach the show with a fresh pair of eyes. He comments: “I have never read any of the Narnia books or seen the films, although I did have a general concept of what happens. One of the main aims of my brief was for the lighting to be part of the show’s storytelling. The design plays a big part in the transformation of the worlds and environments that the children discover, both in Narnia and the real world. As such, it was my task to support this and allow the audience to feel that they were constantly being transported somewhere new.  

He continues: “We also wanted to create the amazement that the children felt as they discover Narnia and allow the audience to experience this too. Rather than do this through huge scenic changes, we instead opted to draw heavily on other design aspects, such as costume, movement and lighting. Another major element of the show that I had to consider with my design was the transformation when (spoiler alert!) Aslan’s strength and power returns to Narnia and, with it, the arrival of warmth and light into the previously icy world that the White Witch ruled over”.   

Knowing exactly what he needed to achieve with his design, Jack put together a plan and approached the Customer Service team at WL. He explains: “I always consider the architecture that the rig creates when bringing it together: how the physical lights sit within the shapes of the design and how the space is used. The design also declares a lot of the workings, with booms that are deliberately visible. As such, how lights sit overhead also reflects the nature of the space”. 

For The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Jack drew on the ETC Lustr 2s for lower crosslight, with MAC Aura XBs in a higher crosslight position. These create a lot of the shaping and lighting of the cast and are able to pick out the main characters from a large ensemble as well as create layers of depth. All the way along the height of the booms are ETC Source Four Pars which Jack has used primarily for their warmth and tungsten glow. They help create what he describes as “a warm hug” within the space and are specifically used to richly bathe the whole stage with a soft comforting warmth that Aslan brings after the White Witch is defeated.  

Overhead on the rig are Martin MAC Quantum Washes and a line of GLP X4 Bars for backlight. There are also some PARS and a few more Aura XBs, which are mainly used for impact and effects. Front of house and pipe ends are Ayrton Ghiblis and these were selected for specials and front light. Importantly, the Quantum and Auras have concentric rings to control the light out of them and heavily reduce spill; something that is absolutely key in a show that works a lot with darkness and shadow. There is also a selection of Unique 2 Hazers, Viper Smoke Machines and Glaciators for atmospherics. 

As the production is a touring show and needs to be transported across the country, this obviously had a huge influence on Jack’s design. He explains: “The whole rig was selected with having the versatility to slightly shift venue to venue where necessary and ensuring the system is able to be set-up within the limited time available. Like any touring show, every single element needs to earn its place and be completely necessary to the show’s design, which is why I drew on fixtures that were both incredibly hard-working as well as reliable and consistent”. 

The show opened in Leicester last year and is currently playing at the Glasgow Theatre Royal. It will continue to tour the UK until May this year and more information can be found here.  

Photos courtesy of © Brinkhoff-Moegenburg.

The post White Light Supplies The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe UK Tour appeared first on White Light.