The Rose Theatre Kingston, the largest producing theatre in southwest London, needed to upgrade its lighting system to better meet the demands of its diverse programming. From dramatic plays and one-night-only performances to comedic shows and the annual Christmas production, the theatre required a lighting solution that offered superior performance, adaptability, and efficiency. The existing MAC Encore fixtures were no longer meeting the theatre’s evolving needs, particularly for productions that demand a wide range of lighting aesthetics and effects.
To address these needs, the Rose Theatre Kingston partnered with SLX to become the first performing arts venue in the UK to install Martin’s MAC Viper XIP fixtures. Thirty units were added to the theatre’s house rig, replacing the older MAC Encores and serving as the venue’s principal moving-head lighting fixtures. The decision to adopt the Viper XIPs came after Head of Lighting & Stage Emma Sayers experienced a demonstration at the 2023 PLASA Show, where the fixtures’ performance and versatility left a lasting impression.
The MAC Viper XIP features a newly designed optical system that delivers unmatched gobo projection sharpness, high-contrast levels, and brilliant mid-air effects. Its proprietary light recycling technology provides 25% additional output when a gobo is inserted, ensuring exceptional performance and energy efficiency. Additionally, built-in heavy and light diffusion capabilities eliminate the need for swapping frost filters, making the fixtures more efficient and versatile for a wide range of productions.
For the theatre’s upcoming production of Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist, the Viper XIPs will play a crucial role in creating immersive environments, from vibrant greens for the forest to dramatic reds for the Sheriff of Nottingham’s castle. The fixtures’ ability to seamlessly transition between bold, high-contrast colors and subtle nuances ensures they meet the theatre’s creative demands. Unique gobos, such as the ‘String Theory,’ further enhance the flexibility and creative potential of the Viper XIPs, allowing lighting designers to craft everything from sharp, jazzy effects to soft, textured floor patterns.
The Viper XIP fixtures also address the challenges posed by the Rose Theatre’s unusual grid layout. With no parallel lines or center stage grid, the adaptability of the Viper XIPs makes it easier for visiting lighting designers to relight or adapt their shows.
With the installation of the Martin MAC Viper XIP fixtures, the Rose Theatre Kingston has significantly enhanced its lighting capabilities. The new fixtures provide vibrant, nuanced, and highly adaptable lighting solutions that elevate the visual quality of every production. The theatre can now seamlessly shift between aesthetics, meeting the demands of everything from dynamic, high-energy performances to subtle, dramatic lighting transitions.
Emma Sayers praised the Viper XIPs’ ability to handle even the subtlest shifts in color, a critical feature for dramas where precision lighting is paramount. She also expressed confidence in Martin’s reliability, emphasizing that the move to the next generation of fixtures was a natural progression for the venue. The partnership with SLX, supported by Martin’s UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd, ensured the installation was tailored to the theatre’s unique needs.
This upgrade positions the Rose Theatre Kingston as a leader in innovative lighting design, providing audiences with enhanced visual experiences and maintaining the theatre’s reputation for excellence. From overcoming technical challenges to delivering superior performance, the MAC Viper XIP fixtures have become an invaluable asset, empowering the Rose Theatre to continue its tradition of producing exceptional performances.
