Royal Ballet And Opera – Overhead Lighting Rig Upgrade
Watch on demand: How do you transform a theatre's overhead lighting system without interrupting live performances?
In this PLASA Show 2026 seminar, the Royal Ballet and Opera shares the story behind the Royal Opera House's first major overhead lighting rig upgrade in 26 years, delivered in partnership with HOF and igus.
From replacing ageing fixtures and infrastructure to developing bespoke truss structures and introducing modern LED lighting, the project presented significant technical and operational challenges. The team explains how careful planning, collaboration and testing enabled the upgrade to be delivered while the venue's demanding programme of opera and ballet performances continued.
Key topics explored:
-
Modernising theatre lighting: Replacing ageing equipment with LED moving lights while meeting the artistic requirements of existing productions.
-
Fixture selection and testing: How lighting designers, manufacturers and visualisation tools helped shape the new rig.
-
Innovative rigging solutions: Developing lightweight, modular truss structures to overcome space, weight and lifting constraints.
-
Upgrading infrastructure: Improving cable management, power distribution, data connectivity and control systems.
-
Delivering without disruption: How phased installation and temporary lighting systems kept performances and rehearsals running.
-
Long-term performance: Creating a more flexible, reliable and maintainable system for the Royal Opera House.
Watch the full seminar for a detailed look at the engineering, technology and teamwork behind this major theatre lighting upgrade.
