Det Norske Teatret, one of Oslo’s most dynamic and influential theatres, has strengthened the lighting of its flexible Scene 2 —a 250-seat performance space— with the addition of 11 new ESPRITE Profile moving luminaires from Robe, which join the 15 ESPRITE PC units acquired in 2022.
The new profile units replace the previous tungsten front lighting with an LED source. Although it made perfect sense to match the ESPRITE PCs on the upstage positions with moving lights from the same manufacturer, as with any major purchase, a thorough evaluation of the available options was carried out, along with an on-site shootout, explained Per Willy Liholm, Stage 2 technical coordinator and also a lighting designer.
He and the theatre’s head of lighting, Torkel Skjærven, worked together to choose the best lighting solution. As a theatre with a diverse production programme, several key characteristics influenced the decision.
Light quality is the first aspect they consider, particularly regarding colour temperature, colour mixing, and beam precision. CRI is another obvious factor, together with the shutter system —which needed to remain sharp throughout the zoom range— and smooth dimming. Intensity also matters, although it is not the only criterion in a space where fixture finesse and quiet operation are critical, especially since actors can react to even the smallest and most subtle sounds.
Scene 2 has only one dedicated lighting technician, so they needed a fixture light enough for safe one-person handling, which is the case with the ESPRITE.
They already knew from their experience with the ESPRITE PCs that the fixtures would be reliable and offer good value, in addition to being “a perfect match in terms of the LED engine”.
Per Willy also mentions that the ESPRITE units work very well alongside other theatrical lighting brands and ranges used in the venue.
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Torkel notes that although Robe’s LED engine has distinctive colour attributes that have essentially become “their white”, they still carried out a full shootout, especially considering the significant technological advances made in the three years since acquiring the PC units. However, once all testing and evaluation were completed, it became clear that Robe still offered the best options for their needs. He also highlighted the benefits of limiting the number of brands in one space, which reduces external administration and allows them to build in-house expertise.
They liked the features of the ESPRITE Profile fixtures, and the new units were installed just before the start of the new season. This marked another step toward the ongoing goal of replacing tungsten sources with LED. For now, some tungsten fixtures will remain in use, as many theatre lighting designers still appreciate and rely on them.
One day, those old units will become the effect luminaires of the future, stated Torkel.
The theatre works with a variety of internal and external lighting designers on its productions, most of which are created entirely by the talented creative team at Det Norske Teatret.
The programme spans a wide range of theatrical genres, including musicals and new, classic, and contemporary Norwegian and European drama. The theatre presents around 20 new shows each year and attracts approximately 260,000 visitors during the same period. Det Norske Teatret has built a reputation for innovative productions, addressing current topics, and celebrating both traditional and multicultural Norwegian stories.
Torkel adds that Prostage, Robe’s distributor in Norway, is a “highly respected partner”, and he was delighted when Lars Kristian Bakke —who had previously worked in technical sales for the former distributor— joined Prostage, citing this as another reason to continue with the brand.
Everyone was impressed to see that the original Robe ColorWash 750AT Tungsten units —replaced by the ESPRITE PCs in 2022— were still in excellent condition after 10 years of intense use. Moreover, there was no record of repairs or replacements, something that, according to Torkel, “demonstrates exceptional value”.
