The National Theatre At Fifty - Five Decades Of Technology In Support Of Theatre
In 1976 – fifty years ago – the new National Theatre building opened on the south bank of the River Thames. The building incorporated a host of technology never really seen before in British theatre, including power flying, the Drum Revolve revolving stage in the Olivier Theatre, the pioneering Lightboard lighting consoles and much more besides.
In the five decades sense, the National has continued to push at the boundaries of technology in pursuit of making great theatre, being one of the first theatre companies to incorporate video projection into shows and one of the first to move to an entirely LED lighting rig, amongst many innovations. That approach involves a willingness to embrace new technology, a willingness by manufacturers to develop technology to meet the National’s needs, and the conversations required to bring those two sides together.
This panel provides an insight into those conversations, featuring Paul Handley, the National’s Production and Technical Director, Matt Drury, the National’s Head of Lighting and Andrew Grant, the National’s Lighting Control Manager, alongside David Bertenshaw, one of the Strand Lighting engineers responsible for developing Lightboard, and Anne Valentino who led the ETC team responsible for the Eos lighting control systems the National now uses.
Come and hear about the unique intersection of technology and art at the National Theatre, from the people who enable that to happen.
Who is this session for?
Anyone who’s work exists at the intersection of performance and technology – and really, isn’t that everyone who’s at the PLASA Show?!
This seminar is free to attend with a show entry badge. Seminars operate on a walk-in basis, so be sure to arrive in good time as seats are first-come-first-served.
In collaboration with 
