This is the automation console that ran the original power flying system in the Olivier Theatre. With the audience wrapping around the Olivier's stage, Theatre Projects Consultants designed a system of motorised 'sky hooks' - individually controllable point-hoists - so that scenery could be flown at any angle, not just parallel to the front of the stage. Cyclo-converter drives removed the need for noisy gearboxes.

Roger Keenan, part of the team at Evershed Power Optics who created the system, describes it as "a vastly ambitious thing to do, state of the art: no-one had ever done anything like this before."

The console was originally powered by a DEC PDP-11 mini-computer, as used in Lightboard. We believe the control electronics behind the console were upgraded over time until the console and original flying system were replaced in about 2015. But if you have any memories of it, we'd love to hear them!

Lighting Hoist Automation Control from the Olivier Theatre
Click thumbnail to enlarge

Lighting Hoist Layout Diagram from the Olivier Theatre
Click thumbnail to enlarge

Power Flying Automation Control from Olivier Theatre
Click thumbnail to enlarge

Power Flying Automation Control from the Olivier Theatre
Click thumbnail to enlarge

Power Flying Automation Control from the Olivier Theatre
Click thumbnail to enlarge

Power Flying Automation Control from the Olivier Theatre
Click thumbnail to enlarge

Power Flying Automation Control from the Olivier Theatre
Click thumbnail to enlarge

Power Flying Automation Control from the Olivier Theatre
Click thumbnail to enlarge

Power Flying Automation Control from the Olivier Theatre
Click thumbnail to enlarge

Power Flying Automation Control from the Olivier Theatre
Click thumbnail to enlarge