The lighting from Robe had a prominent presence at PLASA 2024 at London Olympia, capturing the energy and dynamism of the event, which remains a vibrant milestone in the UK’s production technology calendar.
The Czech manufacturer launched four new products: the iFORTE Fresnel, the PAINTE Fresnel, the SVOPATT, and the SVB1 WashBeam, all attracting significant interest as Robe continued to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
The company also showcased its new live performance, The Fifth Dimension, featuring three live performers, including aerial acrobat and dancer Oskar Skrypko, who caused a stir at Prolight earlier this year.
The Robe brands – Avolites, LSC, Anolis, and Artistic Licence – were present around the main stand, demonstrating the two-way synergies between all of them and harnessing the enthusiasm and positivity of the show. To top off another incredible PLASA for Robe, the impressive iBOLT – also launched this year – won the coveted PLASA Award for Innovation.
The Fifth Dimension
The show featured gravity-defying dance moves and acrobatics, with a vibrant soundtrack and an outstanding visual spectacle that included the newly launched lighting products along with several others presented throughout 2024.
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The elements of this customized 9-minute show – design, lighting, video, audio, choreography, special effects, programming, and staging – were produced by Robe’s in-house creative team led by Nathan Wan and Andy Webb, delivered with the highest production values to showcase the new featured products.
Innovative
For the first time at a trade show, as far as we know, a combination of trampoline and Chinese pole acrobatics was used in The Fifth Dimension. This show captivated the crowds every 90 minutes throughout the day, drawing large groups of visitors to that section of the exhibition hall.
The fluid narrative and structure allowed the performance to unfold in multiple layers and dimensions, each associated with a different group of new Robe lighting equipment, playing its own roles in the production. This also highlighted the variety of tasks for which the different products can be used – from skin tones and key lighting to pure effects, drama, fun, backlighting, stage wash, and more, all illustrated with great style and creativity.
More than 200 luminaires – 44 DMX universes and 920 pixels, nearly 1000 cues – were executed in the 9-minute show, which was programmed on an Avolites Diamond D9-215 console running on timecode.
Visual control
Using the D9 timeline feature and keyframe functionality, individual chords, drops, punctuation points, and intricate music sounds could be quickly identified to apply visual effects synchronized with the lighting, something the team appreciated when delving into the details and more complex programming elements.
An Avolites AI Q3PRO server was used to run the video, and five LED screens were prominent on the stand and incorporated into the show for scenic information. They were positioned around Oscar’s main jump perch, which was embedded in the back wall, from where he launched himself at high speed towards the custom trampoline installed below in the background area.
When the show was not running, the screens displayed clear and detailed infographics related to the numerous activities happening at the Robe stand, including the Voice of God presentations and the two demo areas, which were busy throughout the exhibition, with people wanting to get up close to the products.
New products
The new SVOPATT equipment brought interesting looks to The Fifth Dimension from its prominent position in the middle of the truss, especially when using the zoom function on each of the 7 individual LEDs per cell plus its central LED strobe chip. These two elements look equally good as independent effects or combined in multiple combinations.
They were joined by 16 new SVB1 units, consisting of an SVOPATT cell on a moving head base, which, with impressive programming, looked great!
Robe’s T32Cyc units demonstrated their flexibility in tight and hard-to-access spaces with short throw distances, mounted on the stage’s side panels, used for key lighting in close proximity.
Featured lighting
Nathan wanted a TetraX feature as part of the show, and this spectacular piece was built with 28 TetraXs at the back of the stage, which captivated the crowds, silhouetting the performers and producing a burst of impressive and astonishing effects. They were contrasted with 14 x Tetra2 LED moving battens positioned in the set’s "windows," sweeping curtains of light across the stage.
10 x award-winning iBOLTS were central to the main setup. Nathan wanted to illustrate how these powerful units can be seamlessly integrated into indoor shows, as well as serve as great super bright spotlights when outdoors.
Thirty-five Robe PAINTES in the setup shaped those "rock show" moments that everyone loves, with SpiiderX wash beams providing stage and set wash coverage, filling the area with quality light.
Several of Robe’s T15 PC and fresnel fixtures mounted on the stage increased the top wash positions, along with the newly launched FORTE Fresnel, with more T15 PCs and fresnels on the side booms that were perfect for lighting through the stage from these essential positions.
Additional key lighting on the ground came from the FOOTSIE Slim units deployed along the front of the stage, and the LEDBeam 350s were above the U-shaped trampoline to light Oscar's dramatic high-speed jumps and drops, while four SpiiderXs on each side of the trampoline provided cross-lighting and attractive visual effects.
Classic style
Last but not least, 6 MegaPointes were positioned in front of the LEDBeam 350s also over the trampoline – a nod to vintage Robe. Possibly the most popular moving light in the company’s 30-year history. In addition to looking amazing, they served as a possible preview of something to come, showing everyone at the show that these 2017 beam-babies continue to amaze and dazzle with their brightness, clarity, and endless combinations of effects.
Every available inch of the stand was used efficiently, ensuring that Robe enjoyed presenting the most dynamic and visually stimulating stand at PLASA.
In addition to devising The Fifth Dimension show, the creative team designed the stand and spaces for the Robe group’s companies and brands, which also caught the public’s attention.
Robe brands
Avolites
The Avolites stand was to the right of Robe’s stage and enjoyed great energy with the launch of its D7 console.
This year has probably been the best show in recent years for Avolites. We presented a solid product lineup at the stand, especially with the D7 console that showcased the depth, detail, and flexibility of our commitment to visual control – video and lighting. Of course, it was a great opportunity to catch up with our loyal followers and meet many new ones. We were delighted to see such a busy stand and to be part of the Robe family – which is a testament to how far we have progressed in the past 12 months, commented Paul Wong, CEO of Avolites.
LSC
“PLASA was a very positive experience,” said Gary Pritchard, founder and CEO of LSC. "Being in two prominent locations allowed us to make the most of the excellent visitor base at the event. The high interest in the products and the growing awareness of their benefits were very satisfying."
The UNITY range of power distribution and dimming systems was a great success and is an increasingly important consideration for consultants, many of whom visited LSC during the show days.
The NEXEN range of Ethernet/DMX converters from LSC was also on display, providing reliable conversion of the most used protocols in the entertainment industry, including Art-Net, sACN, DMX512-A, RDM, and ArtRDM.
Other highlights included the latest major update to Mantra lite software: Mantra V4, which incorporates color mixing options for 7+ color LED systems and full support for multi-intensity luminaires, among other features for this powerful entry-level lighting control console.
Being part of the Robe family increased the level of interest in LSC's product range from both its own customer base and the global distributor network.
It has opened the door to many international opportunities, and at LSC, we are very excited to be part of this new adventure!, concluded Gary.
Anolis
Robe's specialist architectural and architainment lighting brand, Anolis, showcased its new color-changing Agame light alongside a selection of luminaires from the Ambiane, Eminere, and Calumma families. Ashley Popple from Anolis noted they saw a variety of quality customers.
The show has been excellent. It’s always great when the Robe team comes together. We’ve had the opportunity to see many friends and meet new ones. The biggest hits at the event have been the Lyrae underground luminaires with NFC tilt control and our Agame light.
Artistic Licence
Artistic Licence product applications specialist, Tim Smith, had a great PLASA. “It’s been fantastic to meet new and old clients and industry partners, as well as connect them with other Robe family brands!”, he commented.
We had a great time discussing the best way to apply and use Artistic Licence products, as well as breaking down some of their most innovative features and capabilities. Of particular interest to visitors this year were the sunDial and candlePower LED dimmers with their customizable dimming curves, plus the artLynx gateways and DMX wall controllers for venue or auditorium control.
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Innovation Award Winner
Ending PLASA with an Innovation Award is always a great achievement! Robe product specialist, Dave Whitehouse, received this award at a special ceremony on the second day of the show. Additionally, he echoed others by saying that PLASA 2024 was “even more special this year with the whole Robe group around the stand”.
His show highlights included the launch of the SVOPATT in its classic format, the versatile SVB1 WashBeam, and the compact PAINTE Fresnel, which is packed with advanced beam control features that lighting designers love.
Dave shared everyone’s excitement – including the Innovation Award judges’ – for Robe’s iBOLT. “It’s fantastic to see this product highlighted not just for its cutting-edge effects package, but also for its industry-leading safety features. Winning the award is a remarkable achievement for the team!”, he concluded.
Photos by Paula Duck, Marko Polasek, and Louise Stickland
