
Exhibit
Working Light Control Panels from the National Theatre
Amongst the many technical innovations introduced at the National Theatre when it opened in 1976, some were unheralded yet made for dramatically more efficient working.
Worklight controls, for example: until then switching off the worklights for the start of a rehearsal or show had involved someone walking around the theatre turning off each local light switch. To replace that, Theatre Projects Consultants designed a system of centralised worklight controls includng pre-configured modes for cleaning, for rehearsals, or for performances available through clearly labelled push buttons in multiple locations around each theatre.
These panels are examples of the original controls, and evolutions to the system over the years. On the main display you can see the latest incarnation of these controls, operated through touchscreens. A new world of technology, yet one designed to mimic the original button panels which have proved so successful they became the standard approach in every new theatre.