While the Main Stage at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre goes dark for the summer, in July and August the team embarks on 'The Dimmer Project' to upgrade their dimmers that control the theatre's lighting.
Yvonne Arnaud Technical Manager Liza Cheal explains, "in 1965, when the theatre opened, a dimmer system was installed. Ten years later, we upgraded that dimmer system—and that's what we are still using today.
"Since it was installed, lighting technology and production values have changed immeasurably and our current dimmer switches and their associated housing and wiring are now over 40 years old, making them oudated and inefficient.
"We have waited a long time, so that's why it's so exciting that this project is finally happening."
The project will take nine weeks to replace the old kit with computerised equipment. Recently, the theatre has had to use conversion equipment to run their analogue dimmers using modern, computerised controllers.
The project will be completed in time for the launch of the Arnaud's new season, which opens on Wednesday 22 August with a season of film releases from 2018.