The current lighting fixtures at the Jersey Opera House are “unethical when utilised in a theatre that has undergone a recent refurbishment”, according to an external report authored amid a row over the need for technical upgrades at the theatre.
The audit, which was made public following a request made under the Freedom of Information Law, assessed the theatre’s technical equipment that dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The report was commissioned in February by the Economic Development Minister, and carried out by a company called Lighting Plan.
The Opera House recently underwent a Government-funded £12.7 million refurbishment – but there has been an ongoing dispute about the need for further technical upgrades.
Lighting Plan’s audit found that, while some shows could be staged using the existing setup, the lighting equipment at the Opera House heavily relies on older fixtures that consume large amounts of electricity.
The report said: “The current fixtures are perfectly capable of lighting a wide variety of presentations including drama, dance, opera, musicals, comedy, and conferences.
“However, most all of the fixtures currently in the Opera House stock are older-style ‘conventionals’ that have a tungsten source that require hefty phase control dimming.
“[These are] hugely heavy on electricity consumption and regarded now as unethical when utilised in a theatre that has undergone a recent refurbishment.
“The eco-credentials being completely incompatible with a modern requirement.”
Acceptable as short-term “placeholder”
While the report acknowledged the venue could operate on a temporary basis using the current system, it said this should only be viewed as a short-term solution.
Lighting Plan said: “If seen as a purely short-term remedial placeholder before the fixtures are replaced with ethical sources then of course the theatre could open and service a variety of shows needs.
“In today’s world, the transition to a more sustainable, energy-efficient future has never been more vital.”
The report also noted that the control system in the theatre “requires a high level of niche training in order to be operated”.
“A touring company visiting the theatre would most likely not be able to use it, preferring instead the industry standard which they would tour in with the show,” it continued.
The report recommended that a full LED lighting rig of automated and static fixtures be implemented “either in tranches or in one move”.
“Outcry at using these inefficient technologies would be justified”
It added that this rig would satisfy the demands of most stage presentations, and use 83% less than the current tungsten one.
Lighting Plan concluded: “Whilst LED is seen as the way forward, it must be stressed that older tungsten fixtures are perfectly serviceable ways to light the stage.
“However I reiterate that after any refurbishment the outcry at using these inefficient technologies would be justified and doubtless fail the energy efficiency projected for the building pre-renovations.”
Deputy Lyndon Farnham told the States Assembly earlier this year that the audit found the theatre’s technical systems were “usable and fully functional” and that the Opera House was “quite capable of staging shows” amid a row over the need for technical upgrades.
Deputy Farnham also criticised the management of Jersey Opera House claiming they are “digging their heels in” and being unwilling to stage shows at the newly refurbished facility.
He said: “It is a huge disappointment that the current management are not prepared [to stage shows] and have put their heels in the ground and said they’re not prepared to do anything unless they get all of the new equipment – that’s very disappointing given the amount of taxpayers’ money that’s been spent.”
His comments came after an open letter from the Performing Arts Development Group said that visiting theatre companies would not bring shows to the Opera House without upgrades to the “outdated” technical equipment
Representing the island’s performing arts community, the group claimed that members were “led to believe” that the Government would fund technical improvements to the building.
The letter said that much of the Opera House’s “outdated” technical equipment is now over 25 years old, and called for “modern staging systems” to be put in place to allow scenery to be changed, performers to be notified, and visiting companies to bring digital sound and lighting equipment.