Chichester Festival Theatre is happy to report a successful outcome after investing
in two MDG ATMe™ haze generators and two MDG theFAN™ digital units, supplied
by leading creative and technical solutions specialists, White Light.
“The main driving factor behind our investment was the need for greater
controllability than the on/off capability offered by our existing AtmosphereAPS
units,’ says CFT’s Head of Lighting and Technical Manager, Sam Garner-Gibbons.
“We have a purpose-built atmosphere generation system that sites the generators
and fans above the rear of the audience and ducts CO2 gas through copper pipes to
gas canister storage locations back of house. The units are placed front of house so
the venue’s air handling system pulls the haze across the stage to create the
optimum coverage. Because we are a very exposed venue, any fan noise and or
excess haze output percolating around the upper audience level could be distracting
to the audience.’ It was clear that controllability would be paramount when
addressing these issues.
The two ATMe units are installed in Festival Theatre where they have been busy
since day one. The 2016 season saw lighting designer Paule Constable employ them
on the critically-acclaimed production of Half A Sixpence, while they were also used
to great effect on the RSC double bill Much Ado About Nothing and Love’s Labour’s
Lost lit by Oliver Fenwick, An Enemy of the People lit by Mark Henderson, and Ross
lit by Paul Pyant – all of which featured haze heavily.
Constable voiced her pleasure at having the new units at her disposal: “It was joyful
to have the control that the ATMe offered which was dead impressive!’ she says.
“We didn’t get to play with theFANs as the rate was good without them – but having
DMX pressure control is just excellent…and consistent. I’ve always loved the quality
of haze the MDG produces, but we found you were constantly riding the unit –
turning it on and off and creating complex chases. Being able to control the output
with the new unit makes a huge difference. “At last!’ was my main thought!’
Warren Letton, who programmed Half A Sixpence, agreed: “We were really
impressed! The ATMe units gave us a very nice remote control of the output
(finally!) which we utilised a lot! They are very nice units.’
Overall, the team at CFT are very happy with their purchase. “The MDG investment
has proven just what we needed to upgrade our system,’ confirms Garner-Gibbons.
“Both the units have given faultless performances and we have also found the new
ATMe has been much more frugal on fluid as a result of its controllability which is a
big improvement. It is now possible to fine-tune the effects from a fan speed that is
much lower and quieter, up to full speed for quick delivery. We are able to
introduce haze gradually at a lower level which means it does not escape into the
audience or distract with fan noise.
For more information on MDG’s ATMe hazer, theFAN and other MDG atmosphere
generators, visit www.mdgfog.com
