Chris Sealy lit up recent production of Cats at the Brewhouse Theatre with help from CHAUVET Professional.
A talented group of people belong to the Taunton Amateur Operatic Society. Not only are they skilled thespians, many also excel in costume design which was demonstrated in the colorful garb they wove for a recent production of Cats. In doing so, they provided Chris Sealy with a wellspring of inspiration to draw upon when lighting their production at the Brewhouse Theatre.
“The Cats costumes were amazing,” said Chris. “I was lucky because the cast wore them to the rehearsals. So when I went to watch, I was able to see them in the flesh, which aided me greatly in selecting colors for my lighting. Every cat in the play tells a different story, each with a different feel, and that of course is tied tightly into the different costumes.”
Helping Chris accent the costumes and enhance the unfolding narrative on stage with light was a collection of six CHAUVET Professional Maverick MK2 Profile fixtures supplied by Bright Production Services. Hung on overhead electrics, the 440W LED fixtures were used as as a primary light source.
Adroitly mixing colors, Chris relied on the fixtures not only to light the play’s memorable characters, but also to bring out the unique personalities that lay within their costumes, using cool whites to accent the tuxedoed ‘Mr. Mistoffolees,” casting evocative hues on striped felines, and endowing Rum Rum Tugger with a radiant golden glow.
Given the spatial configuration of the Brewhouse Theatre, Chris also appreciated the ability of the Maverick MK2 Profiles to focus light. “This venue is very wide, but not very deep; plus, it lacks height,” he explained. “The theatre also has a second level, which made things even more challenging. Narrowing down the stage for intimate moments and trying to light a small area without spillage was a concern, but the MK2s helped immensely.”
