The Royal Opera House – In A New Light
Watch on demand: Discover how the Royal Opera House transformed its auditorium lighting, cutting power demand by 84% without cancelling a single performance.
In this PLASA Show 2026 seminar, presented in collaboration with LSi, the Royal Ballet and Opera and Push The Button share how they completed an extensive lighting renovation within one of London's most iconic Grade I listed performance spaces.
The project involved replacing ageing tungsten and fluorescent lighting with bespoke LED technology while preserving the historic auditorium's distinctive appearance. With sustainability, audience safety and uninterrupted performances at its heart, the upgrade also introduced advanced lighting control, enhanced emergency lighting and predictive maintenance systems.
Key topics explored:
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Preserving the auditorium's heritage: Replicating the appearance and quality of the original lighting through bespoke LED fixtures.
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Sustainability and circular design: Reducing energy consumption and future waste through modular, repairable lighting technology.
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Keeping performances running: How the team delivered the renovation through careful planning, overnight installations and scheduled shutdowns.
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Advanced lighting control: Introducing 54 controllable zones, improved audience lighting and greater operational flexibility.
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Safety and system reliability: Upgrading emergency lighting, blackout capabilities and monitoring systems.
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Measuring environmental impact: How the project reduced lighting power demand by 84%, delivering estimated annual savings of around 30 tonnes of CO₂.
Watch the full seminar for a fascinating insight into how modern lighting technology, thoughtful engineering and sustainable design can transform a historic performance venue without compromising its character or day-to-day operation.
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