Martin lights the University of Plymouth Student Union May Ball

The University of Plymouth Student Union May Ball was a sell out this year. It took place at Plymouths Guild Hall. All 1400 places were sold and another 200-300 were turned away at the door. Acts for the evening included Trevor Nelson, GLC soundtrack and Maggot, and Steve Edmards.

The lighting was intended to create a visual impact whilst complimenting the acts on stage. Dan Quayle, a lighting technician at Stage Electrics, who has over 18 months experience with Martin lights, designed the lighting for the evening. Dan explains. “We went for moving heads as standard to create this effect and from my point of view as a designer nothing can beat Martin lights for ease of use, reliability and visual effect. The optics and amazing visual effects martin products gave us were second to none and helped us achieve our brief with ease.”

Dan used MAC 250+'s, MAC 300's, MAC 500's, and MAC 600's along with a pair of Roboscan Pro 918's, which were all supplied by Stage Electrics. Also used were Acme Fantasys, Acme Emperor Spots, generic Pars, some Rainbow colour scrollers and for control, an Avolites Pearl 2004.

The MAC 300's and MAC 600's were placed on stage to give bright colourful washes but also, when needed were able to create stunning sweeping effects, and were also used as blinders.

Dan explains, “Because of the short time in which we had to program and the evenings events immediately following it meant the Martin lights were in constant use, the reliability of the products helped in quick rigging and programming as no problems had to be solved taking up valuable time.”

Dan comments, “The sheer versatility of the MAC range was most beneficial to us. It made it a lot easier for me to create effects and saved me a lot of time. Because Martin products are well known and I have used them a lot, I also know, without having to experiment too much, the best way to get certain effects out of the head. Knowing what gobos, colours or other features also helps and even for a first time user there is no lack of literature on the products to facilitate easy use. The lights performed superbly. They did their job, were reliable, looked good and gave us a stress free enjoyable evening.”

Dan would like to mention Dean Ingram and John Hibdige who, with him made up the productions team, and the crew Dan Hill, Simon McGee and Alan Porter who did a stunning job helping them get everything rigged and running in plenty of time for programming.