The Show Goes On as GDS ArcSystem Takes a Bow at The Brindley

	The Brindley theatre and arts center

The Brindley is a theatre and arts center located in Runcorn, Cheshire UK, on the banks of the River Mersey and is the main center for arts and entertainment for the borough of Halton which covers the twin towns of Runcorn and Widnes. It opened in 2004 and in the same year won a Royal Institute of British Architects Award, the first of nine major awards it has received in its relatively brief existence. This collection of accolades serves to illustrate its wholehearted commitment to offer the highest possible standards of performance, access, sustainability and technical excellence. Named by a public competition after James Brindley (1716-1772) one of the most notable and inventive engineers of the 18th century, the theatre has done much to reflect the qualities of its namesake. Few who have experienced its wide-ranging program would disagree with its mission statement: "The Brindley will provide excellent facilities and opportunities for engaging with and access to performances, exhibitions and events which entertain, educate and inspire." The Brindley's success can, in large measure, be attributed to the innovative, forward-thinking ethos of its team. In 2014, in keeping with its dynamic approach, its management team took the decision to address a number of technical issues at the theatre that required attention. At the top of its agenda was the theatre's tired and increasingly unreliable house lighting system. A few years before, to its great satisfaction, the theatre had replaced its backstage blues lights with GDS BluesSystem and following a meeting at the Plasa Show, invited GDS to design a house lighting system that would resolve all its issues. Northern Stage Services (now National Stage Technology) tendered for the work and won the contract.

GDS was asked to create a low energy, low maintenance system. The sidewalls of the auditorium were lit by fluorescent strips. These were dimmable but prone to failure and what was worse, required the erection of scaffolding to perform maintenance -- both inconvenient and very time-consuming. The main working lights in the auditorium were 500W floods, which while at least being more accessible than the side strips, were equally prone to failure, consumed a great deal of power and had long since ceased to be cost effective. Plainly, the brief at The Brindley involved addressing multiple inter-related issues, something that was brought into even sharper focus by the narrow window of time available to perform the remedial work necessary. The extremely important pantomime season was fast approaching and the work needed to be completed quickly and on schedule.

ABTT Lighting Product of the Year 2014, GDS's ArcSystem, was placed at the heart of the scheme. In the main auditorium the existing floods were replaced by 11 ArcSystem Pro Fixture 4 Cell Square 3000K 37 Degree Black Yoke and four ArcSystem Pro Fixture 2 Cell 3000K 60 Degree Black Yoke fittings. So effective were these deemed to be, that The Brindley invested in a further three of the 4 Cell fixtures as rehearsal lights above the stage. Eighteen ArcSystem Decor Fixture MR16s replaced the existing fixtures in the rear stalls and side boxes. The failing fluorescent strips on the sidewalls were removed and replaced by GDS LED strip. The whole system was wireless, controlled by GDS's ArcMesh Protocol and met every aspect of the brief and more besides. Energy consumption was dramatically reduced and further significant reductions in costs stemmed directly from the maintenance-free nature of the fixtures. Most importantly, the "feel" of The Brindley was not compromised in any way. The theatre's management professed themselves delighted with the fact that the venue had retained its original warmth. With great ingenuity, Chris Wells of National Stage Technology planned the works to fit into the theatre's schedule. To take account of the forthcoming pantomime, the work was carefully planned and sectioned-in so as to not impact upon one of the theatre's busiest times -- closure was not an option. GDS remained on hand throughout to assist with any issues arising but careful planning and ArcSystem's retrofittable qualities won the day to ensure that progress was smooth.

A spokesperson for Halton Borough Council expressed real satisfaction: "Put simply, the houselights in the auditorium had had their day and we needed to significantly improve things. As a council, we are fully committed to a policy of environmental sustainability and green technologies play a key part in that. The old system was proving to be a constant drain on resources, both in terms of energy consumption and the maintenance costs associated with replacing regularly failing fixtures. The worry was that whatever replaced the existing set-up might somehow take away from the atmosphere of the theatre. The old system, in spite of all its faults, still contributed to that essential warmth. We needn't have worried. ArcSystem met all the criteria laid down in the brief and comfortably exceeded expectations. The Brindley has retained its unique character and the projected cost savings are very welcome. The job was expertly completed, on time and without impacting on our program. We're very happy indeed!"

Matt Lloyd, managing director of GDS was keen to highlight the fact that the scope for ArcSystem should not be seen as in some way limited to large scale projects. "In recent years GDS ArcSystem has gone from strength to strength across the globe. Installations at a host of prestigious venues demonstrate the high regard in which it is held in the industry. Tempting though it is to always focus on a Wembley Arena or a National Theatre, the installation at The Brindley is a timely reminder that this technology is by no means the exclusive preserve of the metropolitan giants. Every venue, large or small can share in its benefits. The principles and qualities that define ArcSystem as a market leader are as easily and effectively applied anywhere from a cherished provincial icon such as The Brindley, to a multi-function international arena and all points in between. The aesthetic improvements afforded by ArcSystem are matched by significant and measurable energy cost benefits and as this project neatly illustrates, its retrofittable qualities mean the minimum amount of disruption to the venue, offering further savings in time and lost revenue."