Tripping the light fantastic
December 1st 2007 Royal Philips Electronics and the National Theatre announced a five year Simplicity
lighting partnership program to replace the landmark London venue's lighting scheme
The partnership will replace
and enhance the National
Theatre's familiar external
and internal lighting scheme with a
state of the art, dynamic energy
efficient design. Architectural
sensitivity and audience
enhancement coupled with energy
efficiency is the overall aim of the
partnership program.
The LED lighting solution
provided by Philips will give the
National Theatre an endless color
palette with which to paint the
building, illuminating new areas and
creating a spectacular and
welcoming aura.New, smaller light
fittings will help retain the
architectural integrity of the 'Grade
2-star' listed building.
Philips lighting technology will
deliver a 70% reduction in the
energy needed to illuminate the
building's iconic 'flytowers'and
ultimately an estimated £100,000
per annum saving for the National
Theatre at the conclusion of the
project. Londoners will also
experience a new 'video wall'
installation on the roof of the
building in Spring 2008, replacing
the old dot 'Seefact' bulb system
with a full color LED panel which will
display crystal clear messages.
After this initial phase
concentrating on the exterior
lighting of the building, the focus
will switch to the interior and
backstage areas of the theatre.The
public areas of the interior will be
fitted with lower energy, higher
efficiency fittings as will the vast
corridors,workshops and rehearsal
rooms.
Nick Starr, executive director of
the National Theatre, comments
"This partnership will enable us to
spend more on putting on plays and
performances and less on electricity
and maintenance. It's an investment
that would be justified on economic
grounds, but it's hard for arts
organisations to find the money.
Thanks to this partnership we can
do so.This is proving to be the
catalyst for a host of energy-saving
initiatives at the National Theatre.
We are immensely grateful for
Philips far-sighted approach."
The Mayor of London, Ken
Livingstone said:"Tackling climate
change doesn't mean we have to
stop enjoying ourselves, but it does
mean that every sector of London
life has to consider its impact on
global warming.The work the
National Theatre and Philips are
doing is the perfect example of the
kind of leadership we need right
across London, continuing to offer
Londoners and visitors the chance
to see world class theatre, whilst
lowering its carbon impact.The
National Theatre is also
demonstrating that tackling climate
change makes good business sense,
cutting costs as well as emissions."
The partnership between Philips
and the National Theatre is not a 'fit
and forget'operation.As Philips
introduces new lighting technology,
improvements will be installed to
deliver ever greater energy savings
and further enhance the
environment for everyone coming
into contact with one of London's
most recognisable buildings. More articles from Philips Lighting: | 
