According to Robe UK’s MD Mick Hannaford, PLASA 2017 proved a lively and engaging
hub for meeting the UK’s lighting and visual designer community and other creatives.
These sentiments were echoed by the moving light manufacturer’s CEO Josef Valchar,
who stated that: “We have enjoyed seeing many individuals, companies and
organisations from all over the UK, as well as several from Europe – the quality of the
visitors and the networking opportunities, were excellent this year.’
The annual trade show was again staged at the Olympia exhibition centre in west
London over three days, with Robe’s large, high-impact stand right at the heart of the
domed ceiling hall attracting massive attention, with a specular dance/light
performance live show.
This year, the product focus was on Robe’s just launched MegaPointe multi-functional
moving light, which is set to define new standards and expectations in moving light
technology, taking the original concept of the all-in-one fixture to a whole new level.
Another stunning booth design complete with elaborate draping and dressing
continued the theme of theatrical spaces around the world in which to showcase
Robe’s diverse range of products.
The stand design and the live show’s direction and choreography were conceived
entirely by Robe’s Creative Team, led by Nathan Wan and Andy Webb. The show
starred Jake Stephens – a talented freestyle dancer who has auditioned for Britain’s
Got Talent – together with 42 x MegaPointes.
The hourly live show, with a robot-brought-to-life narrative and an elaborate post-
industrial stage set – was complete with a dynamic soundtrack which took the global
launch MegaPointe video presentation as its starting point, and was built into a
thrilling, totally bespoke version specific to PLASA.
Jake’s 5-minute routine was performed in a custom designed mirror suit sourced in
Belarus and chosen to accentuate the effect of the MegaPointes and the other new
fixtures in the show, which included LEDBeam 150s, onePATTs, Divine UVs, Spiiders
and pixelPATTs.
It pulled a huge amount of additional people to the already packed stand and helped
ensure that Robe was an unmissable focal point.
In addition to the show, there were two full height “black box’ demo studios on the
stand where visitors could receive comprehensive demonstrations and get a close-up
of all the new products, which also included the RoboSpot / LightMaster remote and
operated follow spotting systems, the DL series of premium theatrical luminaires and
the VIVA CMY spot moving light.
The power and potential of the MegaPointe was further illustrated with fixtures used to
illuminate elements of the London skyline during an off-site event one evening at the
Aqua Spirit restaurant in central London, capitalising on its roof terrace and
commanding panoramic views.
Many of Robe’s key European distributors attended the exhibition reflecting the
continuing pan-European appeal of London as a production and entertainment
technology industry hub.
