Modern lighting system brings new possibilities while opening up for more refined designs.

The historic Théâtre Royal du Parc in Brussels, one of the city's oldest theatres, has ushered in a new era of lighting with the installation of a state-of-the-art Elation lighting system. The new rig, supplied by Belgian AV specialists XLR, includes dynamic ellipsoidal, moving head, and cyc lights, bringing new possibilities and consistent color performance to the venue's stage.

From Audio Excellence to Lighting Innovation
Théâtre Royal du Parc had long been a satisfied customer of XLR in terms of a high-quality sound system. When the time came to modernize the theatre's lighting, with XLR now serving as Elation's exclusive distributor in Belgium, it was a natural next step to explore whether Elation's solutions could meet the venue's high technical and artistic standards.

A Unique Venue with Demanding NeedsAn Italian-style theatre dating back to the late 1700s, the theatre works almost exclusively in-house, producing plays and occasionally touring the shows. Productions range from classical plays with modern twists to new musical productions. The diversity of programming demanded a lighting solution that could handle a wide range of visual styles.

The final upgrade consisted of 24 KL PROFILE FC, 12 FUZE PROFILE, 4 FUZE MAX PROFILE, 18 KL CYC L, and 4 KL CYC S luminaires. The products were sold through the theatre's preferred partner, XLR, a loyal distributor that supports retailers and integrators in the region.

Addressing Lighting Limitations
The initiative was led by Viktor Budo, the theatre's head of lighting and regular lighting operator, who oversees all lighting-related aspects and specified the new Elation system. The venue had already adopted LED technology but still relied on halogen for front-of-house (FOH) lighting. Viktor says that visiting designers often brought their own LED profile fixtures, prompting the theatre to seek a dedicated, semi-fixed solution for FOH.

System Consistency
Shootouts were organized with various brands, with XLR's Lighting Account Manager Pieter van de Velde and Elation Key Account Manager Benelux Bert Schmeits facilitating the evaluation. Viktor ultimately selected Elation's FUZE and KL series fixtures, which share the same multi-color RGBMA light engine and align with a unified design concept with consistent color, matching light quality with high CRI and R9 values, and uniform CCT from 2400K to 8500K across all fixtures.

A Strong First Impression with KL CYC
The first fixture they looked at however, was not an FOH fixture but a cyc light. Needing fixtures for an upcoming production, the theatre initially considered renting but ultimately chose to invest in the KL CYC series. "We had never used LED cyc lights before," said Viktor. "In terms of output, color and consistency, the KL CYC was perfect for our use."

In evaluating the investment, the head of lighting says they asked themselves whether it would truly be a game changer. "In the past, we were limited in our color choices because changing gels was time-consuming. For The Count of Monte Cristo, we wanted a colorful background but didn't yet know which color we'd go with." After using the new fixtures in that production, Viktor says they worked out great.

"Then we used them on a second show for the background which worked well, then we used them on the next show, and the show after that, and now we're using them on the current show. We have ended up using them all the time! It gives us color and possibilities in one fixture that we didn't have before, and we can even use them as footlights. It's also been a new playground for visiting LDs who can see the potential with them to find the exact color they need. When they discover what they can do, they love them."

FOH Fixtures That Deliver
That versatility continued when they discussed new FOH fixtures, namely the KL PROFILE FC and FUZE PROFILE series. "It's great to have the color consistency across the ellipsoidals, cyc lights and moving lights," Viktor said, noting that their previous white LED profiles with CMY color mixing were insufficient in that regard. "Designers often want color fades and those don't do that very well," he said. "We wanted both good output and good color mixing." The FUZE PROFILE was perfect for most of their needs, but for extra punch from 25 meters out, they decided to also add FUZE MAX PROFILEs, a more powerful version of the LED framing moving head that he says are also used as followspots.

The combination of FUZE PROFILE and FUZE MAX PROFILE (10,000 and 20,000 lumens respectively) allows for powerful yet quiet operation, with Viktor praising the FUZE range as a perfect balance of size, weight, and functionality. "The FUZE range was perfect as it is mid-intensity and mid-weight. Other fixtures were either too big or too noisy, or had other issues. The FUZE gave us all the details and was a good ratio between weight, size, power and functionality in the same fixture."

Viktor adds that while noise level was not a primary concern, the luminaires' silent mode adds another level of adaptability for more acoustically sensitive performances.

Modern Profiles with Familiar Feel
Meanwhile, the KL PROFILE FC-used at FOH, on the fourth balcony and as sidelights-offer visiting lighting designers a familiar ellipsoidal format with modern benefits like gobos and full-color mixing. They are often used as a general FOH wash light, while the other KL Profile FC fixtures around the venue add additional elements using shutters, gobos, and other features.

"That opened up a whole new world for us and for many of the LDs that come into the venue," Viktor stated. "For many visiting LDs, using non-moving lights can be reassuring and with the KL PROFILE FC, they have that familiar static ellipsoidal but with modern updates. We have had great feedback on them - they say it is everything they know from the old halogen fixtures but with all the colors, gobos, etc. They are really impressed with their flexibility."

Redefining Workflow and Inspiring a Community
Visiting lighting designers and other professionals have welcomed the transition to LED lighting at front of house, expressing surprise at how well Elation products render skin tones and deliver vibrant stage illumination. The new lighting system has expanded creative possibilities, making scene and mood changes easier and more dynamic, ultimately redefining how the Théâtre Royal du Parc operates.

"It has made us more precise and detailed," Viktor shared. "With the new fixtures we can get all the details we couldn't get before or that would have taken a lot of time to create. Now we can focus in on a certain color quickly." He also mentions that they've been able to reduce the number of total fixtures they need to use on productions and can reuse setups across productions with minimal change.

Reflecting on the initial fixture shootout, Viktor recalls inviting other regional theatres to observe the process firsthand. "Now that we have fully integrated the Elation fixtures, those same theatres occasionally reach out and are curious to know how the system is performing. It's rewarding to see how our experience has sparked interest across our local theatre community and we're glad to share the benefits of the new Elation lighting."

Lighting Designer credits:
Alain Collet - "La Belle Et La Bête"
Philippe Catalano - "Le Jeu De L'Amour Et Du Hasard"
Xavier Lauwers - "Le Comte De Monte-Cristo"
Photos: Aude Vanlathem