Situated at the heart of The University of Manchester’s campus, the Martin Harris
Centre for Music and Drama recently underwent a significant refit, including the
installation of a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient production lighting package,
featuring a control desk, LED luminaires and power controls from ETC, and
auditorium lighting from GDS, all supplied and installed by Stage Electrics.
An important arts venue for north-west England, the Martin Harris Centre offers
students a fantastic space in which to study and perform, as well as hosting many
professional musicians, performers and prize-winning authors. It provides an
excellent space for contemporary and classic theatre, music and comedy events,
and holds a reading series that has in the past featured such literary luminaries as
Martin Amis, Will Self, John Banville and Clive James.
The project, which was made possible due to significant funding from the Faculty of
Humanities, is part of a campus-wide initiative that supports the University’s
commitment to environmental sustainability and saw a complete overhaul of the
lighting in the venue’s Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall and John Thaw Studio Theatre.
Longstanding supplier to the University, Stage Electrics was appointed to design,
specify and install a complete lighting system for the two multipurpose facilities.
Karl Spencer, the venue’s technical services manager, worked closely with Stage
Electrics’ Rob Beamer and Karl Formstone to ensure the right solution was selected
and installed.
“Energy efficiency was a driving factor in this project, but there were other points to
consider too, like flexibility,’ says Rob Beamer.
“The venue hosts a lot of classical concerts where maximum light levels are critical,
whereas colour rendering and colour mixing capability is important for lighting
dramatic performances, for example. For power controls, space was at a premium,
so we had to bear that in mind too.’
The comprehensive solution, specified following extensive demonstrations between
Stage Electrics and the University, includes an Ion® console with two fader wings;
a Unison Paradigm® power control system; Sensor® dimmers with ThruPower
modules; and an array of ColorSource® PAR, Source Four® LED Series 2 Lustr®
and Daylight HD fixtures and a comprehensive state-of-the-art house lighting
system from GDS.
Rob Beamer adds: “We put a lot of time into getting it right. The challenge was to
deliver a versatile, energy-efficient lighting solution to maximise the experience for
both performer and audience, without compromising on quality. And I think we have
succeeded.”
Karl Spencer, the Martin Harris Centre’s technical services manager said, “As part
of this extensive lighting project, our spaces have been converted to energy-
efficient LED, for both lighting performances and house lighting. The end result is
excellent and our performers and audiences alike are already enjoying the
improved lighting. The installation offers us a flexible, efficient and sustainable
lighting solution which underpins the University’s environmental sustainability
strategy.
