This article is sourced from Live Design Online.

Industry-leading lighting experts Ultra LEDs are pushing the boundaries of theatrical lighting with innovative LED technology, as seen in two recent projects that highlight just how flexible, precise, and emotionally evocative modern stage lighting can be.

From London's famous West End to smaller, local theatres, Ultra LEDs' custom lighting solutions are helping lighting designers and technicians bring their radical creative ideas to life, no matter the unique demands of each space.

Two Different Takes on Theatre Lighting
These two projects show just how versatile LED technology can be:

At London’s Criterion Theatre, Titaníque used over 700 meters of RGBW LED tape, built into custom light boxes and controlled by DMX systems. This large-scale setup, in partnership with Starlite Electrics Ltd, created vivid, programmable lighting effects that enhanced the production’s eccentric, over-the-top staging.

"This was the biggest set electrics project we’ve delivered so far," said Sonic Harrison of Starlite Electrics Ltd. "With DMX 512 as the standard theatre protocol, we required a high number of DMX controllers to meet the level of control specified for the LED tape. The large quantity required also had to fit within budget constraints, making Ultra LEDs’ tape the ideal choice."

Nottingham Playhouse's production of Girls & Boys took a more minimalist approach, with LED lighting completely replacing traditional set changes. RGB + 3000K LED tape was discreetly embedded under kitchen cabinets and inside picture lights, while Neon Flex extended the lighting design past the stage, and into the curved auditorium troughs.

"LED tape played a key role in the design process from the very beginning,” said Molly Stammers, Head of Lighting & Video at Nottingham Playhouse. “It was used in two distinct ways - both as a practical ‘set LX’ element and as a more design-led feature."

The Science Behind the Lighting
Both productions used the precise colour control and dimming capabilities of LED technology but applied the science differently:

• Titanique at the Criterion Theatre used 24V systems to keep brightness consistent across long runs, with pre-assembled modular driver racks making installation quicker and smoother.
• Girls & Boys at Nottingham Playhouse relied on subtle lighting shifts to change both mood and setting without physical set changes, using colour temperature and intensity to influence the audience’s experience.

About Ultra LEDs
Ultra LEDs supplies high-quality LED lighting solutions for commercial, residential, and entertainment applications. With a focus on technical innovation and customer service, Ultra LEDs works with lighting designers, electricians, and technical directors to create custom solutions for challenging lighting projects.