Albert Hammond in South Africa with VL4000s

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When Gearhouse Splitbeam was appointed as the lighting supplier to Albert Hammond in The Teatro Monte Casino, Johannesburg, Alistair Kilbee knew this was a great opportunity to use 6 Philips Vari-Lite VL4000 Spots and 6 Philips Vari-Lite VL4000 BeamWash units in the theatre. Photos by Duncan Riley.

Synonymous with hits like ‘The Free Electric Band’, ‘I’m a Train’ and ‘It never Rains in Southern California’, Albert Hammond performed on 16 & 17 April which formed part of the his world-wide “Songbook Tour” 2016.

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“It’s always an honour to work on a production with an icon like Albert Hammond”, said Helen Surgeson, Production Manager from Splitbeam.“It always strikes me that no matter where the techs come from in the world we always seem to be the same. Time restraint was the main challenge, but Albert Hammond’s production team were proactive to send through accurate information in advance and availed themselves to us when we had questions. On this show we were only doing lighting and were pleased that we had a happy LD and tour manager!”

Albert Hammond tours with his own lighting designer, Stefan Rottmann. “Stefan was happy with the equipment we offered him and he was also very interested to see what the VL4000s could do,” said Alistair Kilbee, Director at Splitbeam.

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“The show had a lot of ACL beam work, which worked wonderfully with the VL4000 Beam/Wash units, he added. “The VL4000 Spots did all the gobo work, which was so crisp, and clear, they have amazing optics. Splitbeam were very pleased with the reaction we got from the LD and the other members of the production team. The VL4000 have added new dimension to our rental stock holding, we can’t wait for them to be out on the next production.”

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Philips Vari-Lite has for many years been the most specified moving light for theatrical productions worldwide. “Their legendary dimming and colour richness have long set the benchmark,” said Dave Whitehouse of DWR Distribution, Philips Vari- Lite distributors in South Africa. “It is a real boost for the South African rental market to have these fixtures available in the country. I know it has many lighting designers really excited here!”

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