Theatre holds a special place in our hearts—it’s where DWR began, originally as a lighting company. Over the years, DWR has grown to offer full technical support, including audio solutions and LED screens like Absen panels, which have served as stunning backdrops for pantomimes and other productions at Joburg Theatre. Whether it’s providing technical support, sponsoring events, or simply covering them as news items, you’ll often find us involved in shows like The Hilton Arts Festival, KKNK or Innibos. We also invest in the future of theatre through hands-on workshops, such as lighting design and audio training courses, equipping current and aspiring theatre professionals.
Absen NT2.6 V2 has landed — and more is on the way!
DWR Distribution is pleased to announce that the new-generation Absen NT2.6 V2 Indoor LED panels have arrived in South Africa at DWR Distribution, with additional stock on the way. Delivering higher-resolution NT2.6 V2 visuals, a lightweight design, and robust IMD 2-in-1 technology, NT2.6 V2 is purpose-built to handle the tough demands of
Neil Austin chooses Robert Juliat SpotMe for Paddington the Musical world premiere
© Johan Persson In December, Michael Bond’s much-loved children’s character gently padded into the silvered environs of London’s Savoy Theatre as Paddington the Musical erupted into a glorious, fast-paced confection of a production that enchants audiences of all ages. A co-production between Sonia Friedman Productions, STUDIOCANAL, and Eliza Lumley Productions
Robe brings Colour and Magic to Panto Season
Robe moving and LED lights – including the newly launched T3 Profile, appearing for the first time on a UK theatre show – proved a perfect choice for award-winning lighting designer Andy Webb during the UK’s 2025-26 pantomime season. Photo: Barry Rivett Andy, an expert at illuminating this very
Albany Entertainment Centre Chooses Anolis
Albany Entertainment Centre (AEC) is a contemporary performing arts and events venue famous for its stunningly cool architectural design, located on the waterfront in Albany, about 420 km south‑east of Perth in Western Australia, which has upgraded the auditorium lighting of its main theatre space – Princess Royal Theatre –
L-Acoustics System & Workflow Training, JHB
Join Richard Smith for an L-Acoustics System and Workflow Training Course on 3 February 2026 from 9am to 5pm at DWR Distribution in Johannesburg. Upon successful completion and certification, delegates will be eligible to attend future L-Acoustics training sessions. It is essential to have attended the L-Acoustics System &
Robert Juliat to exhibit at ISE 2026, Barcelona Hall 6 Stand C300
(Above): Robert Juliat’s Bizet is set to show its true colours at ISE 2026 Robert Juliat is excited to exhibit at ISE in Barcelona (3-6 February 2026), on Stand C300 in Hall 6. The stand is located in a prime position beside the Live Events Stage area, which is hosting
From basement to beacon
Once home to laser tag and line dancing, a forgotten basement in Secunda has been reborn as a fully-fledged performance venue. Thank you Simon Luckhurst from Pro AVL for the write up! Few people would look at a long-disused basement in the coalfields of South Africa’s Mpumalanga and immediately envisage
Robe Blinds Friedrichstadt-Palast with Delight
One of Berlin’s most iconic venues, the Friedrichstadt-Palast, AKA Palast Berlin, a revue theatre in the city’s Mitte district, has made a substantial investment in Robe moving lights to help facilitate its newly launched Grand Show production, BLINDED by DELIGHT, created by Oliver Hoppmann, complete with a vibrant new lighting
Arts House Group’s Drama Centre Theatre upgrades to LED with Robert Juliat
(Above): Robert Juliat Dalis 860 cyclorama lights and Oz followspots installed at Singapore’s AHG Drama Centre Theatre as part of its LED upgrade. Photo credit © SRT The Little Company Singapore’s Drama Centre Theatre has invested in new Robert Juliat LED cyclorama lights and followspots as part of an ongoing
Lyric Theatre Belfast Becomes First on Island of Ireland to Deploy L-ISA Immersive Audio for World Premiere of Denouement
(Above): L-Acoustics partners with Forfey to install the first theatrical L-ISA deployment on the island of Ireland L-Acoustics partners with Forfey to realise first theatrical L-ISA deployment on the island of Ireland Belfast, Northern Ireland – November 2025 – The Lyric Theatre Belfast has become the first theatre on
Robert Juliat success at PLASA London with Live Technology
Robert Juliat enjoyed a successful and very busy time at PLASA, London, where it exhibited on the stand of its exclusive UK distributor, Live Technology. The RJ Bizet range of LED profiles and Fresnels were on show in pride of place, alongside the Tristan LED followspot and SpotMe followspot tracking
AJD’s 40 HEX PANEL IP
Bring your stage to life with 40 HEX Panel IP — a powerful, IP65-rated wash, blinder, and strobe designed for the demands of live production. Its rugged all-metal housing stands up to dust, rain, and humidity — ideal for theaters, churches, and live event rigs. The ADJ 40 HEX Panel
Lightweight Quick Trigger wins at Plasa
At this year’s Plasa Show in Olympia London, Doughty Engineering entered the Plasa Awards for Innovation, putting forward our new Lightweight Quick Trigger. Competing against 36 other entries, there was a lot of ingenuity on display for the 11 expert judges to assess. We are very proud to announce
zactrack enjoys first show in Iceland
FLÆKT, an intense and highly visual dance performance piece created by artist Juliette Louste, premiered at the Tjarnarbíó Theatre and utilised a zactrack mini automated tracking system for the first time in Iceland to track lighting, audio, and video cues. Juliette is truly multi-skilled. In addition to being a talented
Robe Helps Spin Skulerevyen at Det Vestnorske Teateret
Lighting designer Jon Eirik Sira thought outside the box when tackling an interesting visual conundrum for Det Vestnorske Teateret in Bergen’s recent and acclaimed production of Skulerevyen (School Review). The show was a raw, visceral, no-nonsense take on the issue of violence in schools through the decades, peppered with wit,
Historic Stockholm Concert Venue Nalen Gets a Modern Audio Upgrade – Solving Nearly 140 Years of Acoustic Challenges with L Series
JLE Audio AB deploys L2D and KS21 to solve unique acoustic challenges at Sweden’s legendary music venue STOCKHOLM, Sweden – For nearly 140 years, Nalen has been hosting the performances that shaped Swedish culture – from the legendary artists who graced its stage in the 1950s and 60s, to the
Howard Events presents: Jonathan Roxmouth – My Favourite Broadway
L-Acoustics’ L-ISA Hyperreal technology makes its South African debut, integrated seamlessly into a glittering tribute to the golden age of musical theatre. Peter Iantoro, TPiMEA Magazine, reports: The South African live events industry has had to be patient when it comes to L-Acoustics’ L-ISA technology, with the COVID-19
Dalhalla Invests in New Robe iFORTE Moving Lights
Dalhalla, a unique open-air amphitheatre set in the former Draggängarna limestone quarry in central Sweden, is arguably one of the coolest and most interesting live music venues in Europe, popular for its summer seasons featuring a range of music and artists – rock and pop, musicals and sometimes opera
1117 Robert Juliat lighting fixtures delivered for a major project supported by Belgium public authority La Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles
Robert Juliat is proud to announce its major participation in an ambitious investment project led by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, as part of a European programme to renovate the energy efficiency of cultural infrastructures in Belgium. Ten emblematic French-speaking theatres have benefited from the renewal of their lighting systems: Les
Robe at PLASA 2025 – The Preview
Robe will have a big presence at the PLASA London expo in Olympia next week – on stand A70 – and will be launching six fabulous new products – T3 Profile, iPAINTE LTM, SVOPATT Classic, Footsie1 MC and Footsie2 MC plus the super cool new PowerDolly. These will
Two DiGiCo Quantum 338s deliver storybook success for Yunhe Fairy-TaleTheatre
For over 20 years, the town of Yunhe in Zhejiang Province, China has held the title of Wooden Toy Town. Deep in its heart stands the beautiful Fairy-Tale Theatre, which has recently benefitted from investment into DiGiCo’s Quantum series, a testament to the venue’s commitment to the highest quality
Clear-Com Powers Star-Studded Communications at Houston’s Alley Theatre
ALAMEDA, USA – September 2, 2025 – Clear-Com is proud to support the world-class productions of Alley Theatre, one of the oldest and largest nonprofit resident theatres in the United States. With a storied history dating back to 1947, the Tony Award®-winning Alley Theatre produces acclaimed classics, bold new works,
zactrack helps deliver the magic of Souk Wonder show
A substantial zactrack PRO automated tracking system – with 32 x active trackers in use, and arguably the largest to date – was used by lighting designer Ben M Rogers from A Loud Minority (ALM) to deliver an automated follow spotting solution for the spectacular immersive “Souk Wonders” performance show
Robe for De Roma
De Roma – originally Kinema Roma – is one of Antwerp’s best-known and loved music venues, and has recently added new Robe moving lights to its house rig, comprising 12 x LEDBeam 150s, 12 x LEDBeam 350s and 24 x TX1 PosiProfiles, all specified by lighting technicians Hans Lodewijckx and
DiGiCo Quantum 225 amazes at Hangzhou Butterfly Theatre
Yue Opera is a popular Chinese opera genre that features women in all roles. For Hangzhou Butterfly Theatre’s successful premier of My Grand View Garden the audio team chose to invest in a DiGiCo Quantum 225, supplied by Rightway Audio Consultant (RAC) to deliver the required clarity and immersive experience
Gearhouse Splitbeam expands and updates its followspot inventory with Robert Juliat Arthur LT
Gearhouse Splitbeam of Johannesburg, part of South Africa’s Gearhouse Group, has updated and expanded its followspot inventory with the addition of 3 Robert Juliat Arthur LT 800W LED 4°-10° (Long Throw) followspots, supplied by Robert Juliat’s exclusive distributor for South Africa, DWR Distribution. Founded 15 years ago by Alistair Kilbee,
L-Acoustics L2D Arrays Solve 40-Metre Coverage Challenge at Spain’s Baluarte Congress Palace
Teatro Baluarte’s 1,600-seat main auditorium presented a classic audio challenge: achieving consistent coverage across 40 metres of depth without delay systems, while accommodating programming that ranges from classical orchestras to contemporary rock concerts. The venue’s reverberant acoustics and requirement for clean stage presentation – essential for flamenco and classical performances
Cape Town lights up with Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat!
South African Lighting Designer Oliver Hauser first saw Joseph in 2017, and he recalls leaving the theatre humming its melodies long after the final curtain. The spirited score and choreography, intertwined with themes of hope and forgiveness, struck a chord. Eight years later, he had the opportunity to light the
Robe Adds Some Magic to Circlassica Show
The popular Circlassica show returned to Madrid for the 2024-2025 season staged in the iconic IFEMA Madrid big white tent, with a new edition, Circlassica, la historia mundial continúa (Circlassica, the world story continues),produced by Productores de Sonrisas and lit by Juanjo Llorens who once again sprinkled some of his illuminative magic
ETC upgrade at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban
The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal has upgraded its ageing Tungsten Fresnels to ETC Source Four LED engines and has invested in Fresnel Adapters to provide soft beam lighting suitable for any stage configuration. The new fixtures were used for the first time in the production of
Almaty Theatre enjoys Kazakhstan’s first DiGiCo Quantum 338 T
Almaty Theatre is a gem in Kazakhstan. Well-known for excellence in performance, the venue has undergone many technological enhancements over the last few years, including the recent purchase of a brand-new DiGiCo Quantum 338 T, installed by Samat show technic LLP. The theatre’s nightly performances are not limited to a
Robe Taps into Lady Gaga Mayhem at Coachella
Lady Gaga is an artist who excels at delivering unique, ambitious visual live extravaganzas that engage the eyes, brain and heart in an intricate mix of drama, high-impact dance moves and energising music, and this year’s acclaimed Coachella headliner slot took this art to new levels. Her two-hour performance complete
Artscape Theatre invests in the future with Robert Juliat LED followspots from DWR Distribution
(Above: Personnel photo Left to right): Shayna Gleave (Production manager), Roy Hoffman (Artscape Lighting Technician), Sidney Savage (Artscape Lighting Technician), Johnny Scholtz (DWR), Patrick Manicom (DWR), Monique Bowes (Artscape Stage Manager), Faheem Bardien (Artscape Head of Lighting), Liam Cooksen (Artscape Head of Sound). Cape Town, South Africa’s long-established, premiere theatre
We Will Rock You Denmark pushes DiGiCo hardware to the max with unique mix programming technique
The We Will Rock You musical is a massive worldwide success and, since opening in London in 2002, numerous versions have been staged in every corner of the globe. For the most recent version in Denmark, sound designer and Head of Sound, Magnus Hansen, has made full use the
DWR sponsors new console for TX Theatre following theft
(Pictured above): The TX Theatre team takes delivery of their new console at DWR. Pictured: Motlotlo Makhobotloane (DWR), Kamogelo Raphadu, Tramain Nkoane, Duncan Riley (DWR), Skhongo Lehlogonolo, and Mxolisi Masilela. When Dr Ismail Mahomed — renowned writer, director, and former Artistic Director of the National Arts Festival — reached
Lighting Designer Simon King incorporates Robe T1s and T11s for Joburg Ballet
When lighting designer Simon King took on DreamScapes, the latest production by Joburg Ballet, he was presented with the opportunity to integrate Robe T1 Profiles and T11 fixtures into his creative vision — with stunning results. Staged at the Roodepoort Theatre, DreamScapes marks Joburg Ballet’s first production of the
Helsinki Music Centre Selects L-Acoustics L Series for Superior Sound Clarity and Architectural Integration
HELSINKI, FINLAND – April 2025 – Helsinki Music Centre, home to Finland’s two most prestigious orchestras, has completed a significant technical renovation featuring an L-Acoustics L Series loudspeaker system as its centrepiece. The audio upgrade, part of a larger renovation that included lighting systems and new mixing consoles, provides superior
Robe and MA upgrade for The Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at UJ
The Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre’s Thato Maroga, Production Manager, and Tebogo Ramatapa, Technical Manager. The Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg has recently upgraded its technical capabilities with the addition of Robe LEDBeam 350 FW (Fresnel-Wash) fixtures and a grandMA3 onPC command wing XT,
L-Acoustics and DiGiCo for The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal has upgraded its audio capabilities with a new L-Acoustics A10i system, featuring A10i Focus, A10i Wide, and KS21i Subs on each side, powered by LA4X amplifiers. Additionally, the theatre recently acquired a DiGiCo S31 mixing console. The equipment was supplied and
L-Acoustics for the iconic Jabulani Amphitheatre
The iconic Jabulani Amphitheatre has been a cultural landmark since its establishment in 1952. This historic space has faithfully served the community and finally gained a companion in 2010 when the Soweto Theatre was built on the same plot of land, that features three auditoriums fully equipped with state-of-the-art sound
Hippotizer Nevis+ projects captivating panorama for ‘Reparation Nation’
Germany – Hamburg’s historic Kampnagel performing arts centre premiered the multi-disciplinary dance show Reparation Nation in September, featuring a three-projector-strong panoramic visual backdrop driven by a Hippotizer Nevis+ Media Server. The production, by Germany-based South African choreographer Jessica Nupen, is an interactive installation of dance, opera, visual art, live soundscapes
LSC brings power assurance to North West University
One of South Africa’s leading educational institutions, North West University (NWU), has chosen power solutions from LSC Control Systems at the core of the recent technical upgrade of its largest performance space, the Sanlam Auditorium. The APS (Advanced Power Systems) units were provided and installed by LSC’s South
Quantum 335 for AfriForum Teater
The AfriForum Teater is a 370-seater theatre that opened its door in March 2021 in what was formerly the Brooklyn Theatre in Menlyn Park, Pretoria. This establishment recently made a significant addition to its technical setup by acquiring a DiGiCo Quantum 225 from DWR Distribution. Heading the technical operations
Soweto Theatre Invests in Robe ESPRITES
The colourful, funky, eye-catching architecture of the Soweto Theatre stands at the centre of Jabulani, an area fast developing into a bustling future CBD. For the last 10 years, the venue, designed by Afritects, has provided a buzzing performing arts hub and forum for creative expression reaching into the
Happy thoughts at Joburg Theatre with L-Acoustics
By procurement commission, the newly installed L-Acoustics professional audio system at The Mandela Stage at Joburg in Braamfontein arrived just in time for Janice Honeyman’s production of Peter Pan, which runs until 24 December 2023 and which has been described as one her best pantomimes to date. The enhanced audio
Gearhouse Splitbeam chose Tetra2 for We Will Rock You
Robe Tetras supplied by Gearhouse Splitbeam have made their debut on Ben Elton’s rock musical, We Will Rock You which opened at the Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg in March, moves to the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town in May 2023 and visits a few other countries as part of the
Feedback on enjoyable Theatre Audio Workshop
The Theatre Audio Workshop, with audio engineer Christo Davis, was held on 13th February at Gearhouse Splitbeam in Bez Valley, Johannesburg. The event, hosted by DWR Distribution, was an intimate session where the talented Christo, who for the past twenty years has globe trotted and worked on a range of
Theatre Lighting Training at DWR
A Theatre Lighting Workshop will be presented by lighting designer Michael Broderick on 2 June from 9 am to 4 pm at DWR Distribution, Johannesburg. Michael will shares valuable tips on what he has learnt over the years as a respected lighting designer, which can all be incorporated onto any
Insane at Miss Soweto 2020
For the fourth consecutive year, Vimal Rawjee of Insane Sound and Lighting was appointed to supply the full technical for the Miss Soweto beauty pageant hosted at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani, Johannesburg. The hybrid-event, accommodating one hundred guests and recorded for television, gave Vimal the opportunity to ‘share
Soweto Theatre invest in programmable ASM hoist system
The young and vibrant Soweto Theatre, which opened its doors in 2012, has invested in a fully programmable ASM Steuerungstechnick scenery hoist system, supplied and installed by DWR Distribution, to control five of the existing bars in the main theatre. Built-in a former township of Johannesburg, the busy theatre
Revamped Seabrooke’s Theatre opens with a laugh!
The newly refurbished Seabrooke’s Theatre at Durban High School (DHS) is making waves and delighting audiences with one successful comedy after the next. After a seven-month entertainment famine, the theatre was launched with Sylvia, presented by KickstArt Theatre Company, an absurdly funny and furry play about a man, his