There is currently an enormous threat being made to the way theatrical productions are presented.
The EU is proposing, in its Eco-design Working Plan 2016-2019, to change the rules that govern the light sources used in theatrical productions. In effect, they want to bring the vast majority of quality theatre lights – including specialist tungsten light bulbs (the familiar, natural, beautiful warm-feeling light sources that still form the major part of most theatre lighting rigs) and the specialist, high-quality LED lighting fixtures which have finally become available to theatres in the last few years – under the same rules that govern domestic and office and industrial lighting.
From September 2020 they propose to allow only light sources that meet a notional efficiency target, with no allowance made for the visual quality of those light sources, or how those light sources are actually used.
The impact on theatrical production across Europe would be immediate, and overwhelming.
This is very worrying as the manufacturers of our tools don’t think it will be possible to meet the new targets at all. Ultimately this means that the prospect of thousands of theatres going dark and facing closure is a very real thing.
While we applaud the ambitious targets that have been set for domestic products, we in the entertainment industry need to be able to use light in a very different way, therefore we require this legislation to recognise that. Furthermore, on average theatre lighting only accounts for 5% of a theatre’s global energy consumption. We feel that concentrating resources elsewhere could lead to greater potential efficiency savings.
As one of the thousands of theatres in Europe which could be adversely effected by this, we are happy to support the #SaveStageLighting campaign. We ask you to offer your name in support.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE.
Spread the word, contact your local TDs and ask them to sign the petition to ask for a continued exemption for theatres and venues. This legislation affects stadiums to school halls and everything in between!
More info at www.savestage.lighting
Lets do everything we can to #SaveStageLighting!
