Overview
This part of the members' area of the website tries to pull together the information about the technical equipment in the theatre and how to use it. Most of it is associated with the lighting and sound systems - see the simplified diagram below.
The lighting exists so that the actors can be seen on an otherwise unlit stage but, of course, used skillfully, it can enhance the drama or help to set the scene.
The sound system is used for sound effects, music and projections.
Both lights and sounds are computer driven using one computer each.
The lighting computer runs software called Magic Q. This interacts with a PC Wing where the physical use of sliders and buttons are easier to operate than the equivalent mouse actions on screen.
The sound computer runs software called Show Cue System (SCS) which also controls the picture or video files used for projected backdrop effects.
The sound output from the sound computer is mixed with any microphone inputs before being amplified and sent to the large front of house speakers or wherever sound is needed in a particular show.
We have tried to list the website pages in each section of the menu with the simplest first so that you only have to read as far as you need to accomplish whatever you are trying to do..
A Word on Names
We often use the words 'lights' and 'lamps' interchangeably but theatre lights were originally called lanterns or luminaires, with lamp being reserved for the light producing bulb inside. With the introduction of items like LED panels and smoke machines, 'fixture' has become a common word but our lighting software, Magic Q, uses the word 'head'. In this website, we will just say 'light'.