White Light lights the way at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

As the curtain rises on another vibrant season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, White Light, a d&b solutions company (WL) is proud to continue its long-standing partnership, supporting the venue’s evolving creative and technical ambitions with a lighting rig that is as versatile as it is visionary.

Joe Kirk, Head of Lighting at Regent’s Park, has led the charge in designing a season rig that balances creative flexibility with environmental responsibility. “Every show; whether a musical, a play, or a concert, relies on the same core rig,” says Kirk. “It’s designed to be modern, adaptable, and budget-conscious, while still delivering the high-impact visuals our audiences expect.”

This year’s rig, fully IP-rated and 100 percent LED, includes standout fixtures such as the Martin ELP PAR IP and Viper XIP, chosen for their brightness, colour mixing capabilities, and resilience in outdoor conditions. “We’ve seen a real shift,” Kirk notes. “Lighting in Act One is now visible and impactful, even before sunset, which simply wasn’t possible a few years ago.”

The theatre’s unique open-air setting presents both challenges and opportunities. With sunlight dictating design decisions and only two hours of true darkness available for plotting each night, the team has embraced creative solutions.

Sustainability remains a core focus. “We’re not just thinking about power consumption,” says Kirk. “We’re looking at the full lifecycle of our equipment. We want to make sure every fixture earns its place, not only creatively, but environmentally.” The team tracks energy usage per performance and encourages lighting designers to consider the environmental impact of their choices.

WL’s support has been instrumental. From facilitating fixture demos to providing rapid access to additional gear such as 70 traditional PAR cans for the recent production of Dream Ballets: A Triple Bill, the partnership is built on trust, responsiveness, and shared values. “Dom and Stuart from WL go above and beyond,” says Kirk. “They care about the venue, and it shows.”

Dom Yates, Head of Lighting at WL comments: “This season has been a real milestone, supporting Joe and the team in achieving a fully IP-rated LED rig at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Having worked closely with the venue for over a decade, I understand the unique demands of the space, which allows us to respond quickly and effectively. Thanks to our strong relationship with Live Technology, we’ve been able to facilitate hands-on demos of new fixtures, ensuring the team has the right tools for the job. It’s been a privilege to collaborate on a rig that’s not only technically robust but also future-ready.”

As the season concludes with a week of live music performances, the rig will seamlessly transition from theatre to concert mode, another testament to its thoughtful design. “We’re proud of what we’ve built,” Kirk reflects. “A rig that works for musicals, plays, and concerts. A rig that’s flexible, future-ready, and environmentally responsible.”

Image: Dream Ballets. Photo: Johan Persson. LD: Joshie Harriette. Programmer: Stephen Settle.